
,0° 



1 1 . V 




OFFICES 

OF 

PUBLIC WORSHIP, 

FOR THE USE OF 

UNITARIAN CHRISTIANS;- 

SELECTED AND PARTLY COMPOSED BY 

WILLIAM TURNER. 




jfJetocastle: 



PRINTED BY T. AND J. HODGSON, UNION-STREET. 

SOLD BY E. CHARNLEY AND OTHER BOOKSELLERS, AND 
BY R. HUNTER, LONDON. 



J 1824. 



PREFACE. 



It is by no means the intention of this publi- 
cation to supersede the use of Free Prayer 
in Dissenting Churches : It is rather the Au- 
thor's wish to encourage an attention among 
his Younger Friends, to acquire a habit of 
expressing themselves, on all occasions, with 
ease and propriety ; a habit which, if he had 
cultivated it in early life, would have saved 
him many mortifying regrets. But, like all 
the gifts of God, it must be obtained by 
patient and diligent study, or it will not be 
given. — A habit of hesitation, early acquired, 
induced the Author to precompose his Devo- 
tional Offices, as well as his Addresses to the 
People : and as he has been frequently asked 
for particular prayers, it has struck him that 
if he were to print a considerable number of 
the Forms which he commonly uses, it might 
answer several good purposes. 

a 2 



iv 



It might, in the first place, comply with 
the wishes of particular friends, more fully 
indeed, but, it is hoped, not less acceptably, 
than they had desired. 

Secondly, it might supply to his Friends 
at large, and especially his Younger Friends, 
the opportunity of accompanying him in the 
Devotional parts of the Service, without any 
of that wandering of thought which, it must 
after all be confessed, is the too frequent con- 
sequence of extempore prayers, especially of 
long prayers ; and which, in the cases of very 
young persons, is so often found to be the 
case, that it gets into a habit scarcely to be 
overcome, at all times, by the very best chris- 
tians, in future life. These, by following the 
Minister in this part of the service with their 
eyes as w T ell as their ears, will more contract 
a habit of attention, which will not, proba- 
bly, be broken afterwards : and if such a 
habit be formed, it will be exercised with even 
a more intense strength in cases where their 
regular Minister shall choose to depart from 
his usual custom, or another Minister shall 
conduct the service in his own way. 

For it is proper that the Author should 



V 



here distinctly notice, that it is by no means 
his intention to confine himself to the Offices 
which are contained in this Book ; but when- 
ever any particular occasion shall lead his 
devotional thoughts into a different channel, 
he will think himself at full liberty to con- 
duct the service in such a manner as may be 
most congenial to his own feelings, or as he 
may judge more likely to make a favourable 
impression on his fellow-worshippers. — And 
in the cases of his Friends, who may occa- 
sionally favour him with their assistance, it 
is his wish, that they be left at full liberty to 
conduct the public services in whatever way 
may be moat agreeable to their usual habits. 

The following Services are partly original, 
and partly compiled from various sources. 
A third purpose, therefore, which they may 
serve, will be to furnish young Ministers a 
variety of models, which, whether in the use 
of Free Prayer, or of precomposed Forms, 
they may find some advantage in studying. 

A fourth purpose is, that many Unitarian 
Families and small Associations, who are so 
situated in point of residence, that they can- 
not conveniently join themselves to any 

a 3 



vi 



regular Society of Unitarian Christians, may 
by these helps* conduct among themselves 
the worship of God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, on the Lord's Day, at the same 
time reading the Scriptures, and the exposi- 
tions and sermons of judicious men, till an 
opportunity shall occur of their joining in 
Public worship with greater satisfaction, by 
the establishment in their neighbourhood of 
some Society, the services of whose Minister 
they can conscientiously attend. Many such, 
the Author is well assured, are thus uncom- 
fortably circumstanced ; and if this little Book 
should prove of any assistance in this respect, 
it will afford him great satisfaction. 

It is true there are already many publica- 
tions of a devotional nature to which such 
persons might have recourse. The Essex 
Street " Book of Common Prayer Reformed" 
was denominated in a late debate, " The 
Liturgy of the Unitarians" ; as the " Improved 
Version" is often called " their Bible" : and 
it is true that these are books for which in 
general they have a high, but not an exclusive, 
value ; and neither to them, nor to any other 
merely human book or person, do they allow 



Vll 



any authority. The Liverpool, Manchester, 
Mansfield, and other local liturgies, are not 
easily procured : Dr. Estlin's General Prayer- 
Book, and Mr. Rutt's small but valuable col- 
lection, are indeed regularly in the market. 
But they are all liable to an objection in the 
minds of many Dissenters, that they are 
broken into short and separate collects, and 
interrupted by responses ; which, however 
they may be set off by the ceremonial accom- 
paniments in established churches, do not ap- 
pear so suitable to the habits of those at least 
who have been educated amongst Dissenters. 
Such may, perhaps, feel the following Offices 
more agreeable : and it is hoped that they will 
not be found to labour under another objec- 
tion often made against dissenting worship, 
of fatiguing by the prolixity of the service. 

Indeed the Author has often imagined that 
he observed, in the congregations where 
Liturgies are used, whether in established 
churches or in dissenting places of worship, 
an apparent carelessness as to those portions 
which were read by the clergyman, provided 
that they only kept themselves ready for the 
response. On this account, if it should be 



Vlll 



thought desirable that the congregation should 
take any active part in the service, the Author 
would rather recommend that it should be 
done by occasionally joining with the Minis- 
ter, than by responding to him : and in such 
way a trial might be made with the sentences 
printed in Italics in several of the following 
Offices ; with the Lord's Prayer, the Amen, 
&c. If he might venture to borrow a profes- 
sional term, he would call this a Symphony, 
rather than a Response : which indeed, in the 
Catholic Liturgies, is itself in many cases 
called an Antiphona. 

In order to facilitate the use of this book iir 
public worship, the two pages which are oppo- 
site to each other at the close of this Preface, 
contain the several sentences of Scripture, 
alphabetically arranged, which stand respec- 
tively at the head of each Office. The num- 
ber of the Office is annexed in Roman, and 
of the page in Arabic, numerals. The person 
who intends to use the book should have 
these pages open at the commencement of 
the service, and the eye will readily catch 
the sentence recited, which will direct to the 
page where the Office for the day begins. — 



ix 



In the morning it is usual to begin with a 
short introductory prayer, and then a longer 
prayer between the lessons ; in the afternoon 
only one prayer is commonly used. — If the 
morning service begins with the General In- 
troductory Prayer, it will be followed, after 
the first lesson, with one of the afternoon 
long prayers ; which will be found by having 
again recourse to the Index of Scripture- 
Sentences. 



X 



INDEX OF INTRODUCTORY 

No. Page. 

Give thanks always for all things unto God, 

even the Father, &c. vin. 45 

God is a Spirit, and they who worship Him ac- 
ceptably must worship Him in spirit and 
in truth, xvui. 112 

He that cometh to God must believe that He 

is, and that he is the rewarder, &c xxri. 137 

Hear, O ye people, give ear all ye inhabitants 
of the earth, for the Lord God omnipotent 
reigneth, &c xvi. 102 

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to Thy 
mercies, quicken Thou us according to 
Thy word, ix. 51 

How amiable are Thy Tabernacles, O Lord of 

hosts ! praise waiteth for Thee, O God, &c. v. 26 

If we say that we have no sin we deceive our- 
selves, and the truth is not in us, &c. ... I. 1 

In every thiag by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made 
known, &c iv. 20 

In the midst of life we are in death ; of whom 

may we seek for succour, but of Him, &c. xx. 127 

Let Thy merciful ears be open unto our 
prayers, and that we may obtain our peti- 
tions, &c xiv. 90 

Let us pray in the name of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, after the manner he taught his dis- 
ciples, vi. 32 



xi 



SCRIPTURE SENTENCES, &c. 



No. Page, 

O come let us rise and pray unto our Father, 

and say, Father, we have sinned, &c vn. 37 

O come let us worship and bow down before 

the Lord our Maker, Gen. Intro. Prayer. 148 

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, 

for His mercy endureth for ever, xiii. 83 

Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, and unto 

Thee shall the vow be performed, &c. ... in. 15 
Repair to the House of the Lord from year to 

year, and pay your vows to Him, &c xxi. 132 

The hour cometh and now is, when the true 

worshippers shall worship the Father, &c. xxm. 143 
The Lord is good unto them that wait upon 

Him, to the soul that seeketh Him, xu. 68 

To the Lord our God belong mercies and 

forgivenesses, though we have rebelled 

against Him, .* n. 10 

When my father and mother forsake me, then 

the Lord take will me up, xix. 120 

Wherewith shall we come before the Lord, 

and bow before the most High God, &c. x. 56 
Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord, 

and who shall stand in his holy place, &c. xvn. 108 
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth God, and to 

him that ordereth his conversation aright, 

&c xi. 62 

Ye that fear the Lord praise Him ; let your 

praise be of Him in the assembly of His 

saints, &c, xii. 75 



OFFICES 

OP 

PUBLIC WORSHIP. 



L 

[From the Morning and Evening Service of the Church.] 

IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OUR- 
SELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US; LET US 
THEREFORE CONFESS OUR SINS TO HlM, WHO IS 
FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, 
AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUS- 
NESS. — 1 John I. 8, 9. 

Almighty God our heavenly Father, who hast in 
sundry places of holy scripture encouraged us to ac- 
knowledge and forsake our manifold sins and offences, 
to the end that we may receive forgiveness of the 
same through Thine infinite goodness and mercy; 
we would not presume to dissemble or cloak them in 
Thy presence who knowest all things, but would con- 
fess them with an humble, penitent, and obedient 
heart. And although it becometh us at all times to 
acknowledge our sins before Thee, yet ought we 

B 



( 2 ) 

especially so to do, when we assemble to rendet 
thanks for the great benefits which we have received 
at Thy hands, to set forth Thy most worthy praise, 
to hear Thy most holy word, and to ask those things 
which are requisite and necessary as well for the body 
as the soul. It is, therefore, our earnest desire and 
purpose to accompany each other, with a contrite 
heart and humble voice, to the throne of Thy heavenly 
grace, confessing that we have erred and strayed 
from Thy ways like lost sheep, have followed too 
much the devices and desires of our own hearts, have 
offended against Thy holy laws, have left undone 
these things which we ought to have done, and have 
done those things which we ought not to have done. 
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable 
offenders : spare Thou them, O God, who confess 
their faults ; restore Thou them that are penitent, ac- 
cording to Thy promises declared unto mankind 
through Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most 
merciful Father, that for his sake we may hereafter 
live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of 
Thy holy name. And since Thou desirest not the 
the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn 
from his wickedness and live ; and hast declared by 
Jesus Christ Thy gracious purpose to pardon and ab- 
solve all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly obey 
his holy gospel ; we beseech Thee to grant us true 
repentance, and the aids of Thy holy spirit, that those 
things may please Thee which we do at this present 



( 3 ) 

time, and that the rest of our lives hereafter may be 
pure and holy ; so that, at the last, we may come to 
Thine eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

Our Father ) fyc. 

£Lesso?i$ read from the Old Testament.'] 

O come let us sing unto the Lord, let us heartily 
rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come 
before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joy- 
ful noise unta Him with psalms. For the Lord is a 
great God ; and a great King above all Gods. In 
His hands are all the corners of the earth ; the strength 
of the hills is His also : the sea is His, and He made 
it; and His hands formed the dry land. O come let 
us worship, and bow down before the Lord our 
Maker ! 

We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee 
to be the Lord : all the earth doth worship Thee, the 
Father Everlasting ! To Thee all Angels cry aloud, 
the heavens and all the powers therein : and with them 
Thy church throughout all the world should join con- 
tinually to acknowledge Thee, holy, holy, holy Lord 
God of hosts ! heaven and earth are full of the ma- 
jesty of Thy glory. 

All the works of the Lord shew forth the goodness 
of the Lord : they praise and magnify Him for ever : 
it is meet that the children of men should especially 
Hess the Lord, the Father — of an infinite majesty; 

B 2 



( 4 ) 



who hath manifested Himself unto us by His holy 
and well-beloved Son, and by the promise of the com- 
fort of the spirit of His grace. We bless the Lord, 
the God of our Salvation, for He hath visited and 
redeemed His people ; and hath raised up a mighty 
Saviour for us : as He spake by the mouth of His 
holy prophets, who have been since the world began ; 
that we, being delivered from sin and death, might 
serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, 
all the days of our lives. 

We acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the prophet of 
the Highest, before whom Thou didst send Thy holy 
servant John to go before his face to prepare the ways 
of the Lord ; to give knowledge of salvation unto His 
people, for the remission of their sins, through the 
tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring 
from on high hath visited us, to give light to them 
that sate in darkness and in the shadow of death, and 
to guide our feet into the way of peace. We there- 
fore pray Thee, help Thy servants, whom Thou hast 
favoured with the knowledge of the gospel of Thy 
Son, and teach us to obey his holy commandments, and 
to imitate his excellent example ; that when he shall 
come to be our judge, we may be numbered with 
Thy saints in glory everlasting. 

O blessed Lord our God, who hast caused all holy 
scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that 
we may so hear, read, observe, and inwardly digest 
them, that by patience and the comfort of Thy holy 



( 5 ) 

word we may embrace and ever hold fast the joyful 
hope of eternal life, which Thou hast given us in our 
Saviour Jesus Christ. 

O Lord our heavenly Father, who hast safely 
brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in 
the same by Thine almighty power ; and grant that 
this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind 
of evil ; but that all our actions being ordered by 
Thy governance, we may always do that which is 
righteous in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

[ (Or at Evening Prayer.) O God, our gracious 
preserver, who hast safely conducted through so 
much of this day, continue to protect us as the shades 
of evening close upon us, lighten our darkness, we 
beseech Thee, and by Thy great mercy defend us from 
all perils and dangers of the night ; and keep us ever 
in the love and obedience of Thee, and of : Thy son 
Jesus Christ our Lord.] 

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good coun- 
sels, and all just works do proceed, give unto Thy 
servants that peace which the world cannot give ; 
that both our hearts maybe set to obey Thy com- 
mandments, and also that by Thee we being defended 
from the fear of evil, may pass our time in rest and 
quietness, as obedient disciples of Jesus Christ our 
Saviour. 

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of 
concord, in the knowledge of whom consisteth our 

b 3 



{ 6 ) 

eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom, grant u& 
Thy continual protection that we may be safe from 
all our enemies, and evermore give thanks unto Thee 
in the congregation of Thy people. Give peace in 
our time, O Lord ; for none other is our sure defence, 
but only Thou, O God. 

O God our Heavenly Father, high and mighty, 
King of kings, and Lord of lords, the Sovereign 
Ruler of princes, who dost from Thy throne behold 
all the dwellers upon earth, most heartily we beseech 
Thee with Thy favour to behold Thy servant George 
our King and Governor, and so replenish him with 
Thy holy spirit, that he may always incline to Thy 
will, and walk in Thy way. Endue him plenteously 
with heavenly gifts ; grant him in health and happi- 
ness long to live; prosper all his righteous under- 
takings ; and finally, after this life may he attain ever- 
lasting joy and felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we 
humbly beseech Thee to bless the whole Royal Fa- 
mily: endue them with Thy heavenly spirit ; enrich 
them with Thy heavenly grace ; prosper them with 
all happiness ; and bring them to Thine everlasting 
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

[ ( During the sitting of Parliament.) Almighty and 
most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, as 
for this kingdom in general, so especially for the 
High Court of Parliament, at this time assembled : 
that Thou wouldst be pleased to direct all their con- 



( 7 ) 

sultations to the welfare of these realms, that all things 
may be so ordered and settled upon the best and 
surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth 
and justice, religion and virtue, may flourish in the 
midst of us throughout all generations.] 

[ ( Duritig the sitting of the Courts of Justice.) O 
God, by whom Kings reign, and Princes decree jus- 
tice, direct the Judges and Magistrates of the realm 
to administer the public justice with wisdom and 
equity; and may their labours be effectual, through 
Thy blessing, for the prevention of crimes, and the 
establishment of this whole realm in the observance of 
the laws, and the maintenance of order and peace.] 

O God, the Creator and Preserver of men, we 
humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and conditions of 
men; that Thou wouldst be pleased to make Thy 
ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all 
nations. Especially we pray for the extension and 
true prosperity of the Christian Church, in all parts 
of the world ; that all who profess and call themselves 
Christians may be led into the way of truth, and may 
hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, 
and in righteousness of life. To this end we pray 
unto Thee, the author of every good and perfect gift, 
to send down upon Thy servants, the teachers of reli« 
gion, of every name, sect, and party, the needful 
spirit of Thy grace; and that they may truly please 
Thee, pour down upon them the continual dew of 
Thy blessings. This we humbly ask as the disciples 
of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 



( 8 ) 

Finally, we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all 
those who are any way afflicted, in mind, body, or 
estate ( especially Thy servants for whom our prayers 
are desired ) ; that it may please Thee to comfort and 
relieve them according to their several necessities, 
giving them patience under their sufferings, and a 
happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we 
humbly ask as the disciples of Thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

Almighty God, father of all mercies, we Thy un* 
worthy servants do give Thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving kind- 
ness to us and to all men ( particularly to those who 
desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings 
for Thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them J. We 
thank Thee for our creation and preservation, and all 
the blessings of this life ; but above all for Thine ines- 
timable love in the redemption of the world by Thy 
son Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the 
hope of glory. And we beseech Thee, give us that 
due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be 
unfeignedly thankful; and that we may shew forth 
Thy praise not only with our lips but in our lives, by 
giving ourselves up to Thy service, and by walking 
before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days, 
according to the gospel of Thy well-beloved Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

Now to the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the 
Only Wise God, be honour and glory for ever. 
Amen, 



( 9 ) 

{Here may follow Lessons from the New Testa- 
ment, with or without Exposition — A Psalm sung-~- 
and the Sermon.] 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time 
with one accord to make our common supplications 
unto Thee, and to meditate on the truths and duties 
contained in Thy word ; and who dost graciously en- 
courage us to depend upon the promise of Thy well- 
beloved Son, that wherever two or three are gathered 
together in his name, Thou wilt grant their requests, 
as if he were himself present in the midst of them ; 
fulfil now, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the desires and 
petitions of Thy servants, as shall be most expedient 
for us ; by granting us in this world the knowledge of 
Thy truth, and the grace to observe and practise it, 
and in the world to come life everlasting, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

The peace of God, which passeth understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and 
love of Himself, and of His Son Jesus Christ: and the 
blessing of God, the Father Almighty, be amongst 
you and remain with you for ever. Amen. 



( 10 ) 



IL 

[From the Litany, or General Supplication.] 

to the Lord our God belong mercies and for- 
giveness, THOUGH WE HAVE REBELLED AGAINST 

Him, neither have we obeyed the voice of 
the Lord our God, to walk in His laws 
which He hath set before us. — Dan, ix. 9, 10. 

O God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven 
and earth, and of all things that are therein; the 
God and Father of Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the 
world, by whom Thou hast revealed Thy gracious 
purpose of forgiveness upon repentance, and of eter- 
nal life, have mercy upon us, thine offending and 
guilty creatures. By the gracious influences of Thy 
Holy Spirit, turn us from the evil of our past lives; 
and so govern, direct, and sanctify the hearts of Thy 
servants, that they may become proper objects of Thy 
pardoning mercy. Remember not against us, O 
Lord, our past offences, nor the offences of our fore- 
fathers ; and for the glory of Thy name, turn from 
us those evils which we have most righteously deserv- 
ed. Spare us, most merciful Father, spare Thy peo- 
ple; and have compassion on the work of Thine 
hands. 

Spare us y good Lord. 
From all outward evil and mischief; from sin. 



( 11 ) 



with its crafts, assaults, and temptations ; from Thy 
righteous displeasure, and from the danger of final 
condemnation; Good Lord, deliver us! And in 
order to this do Thou mercifully preserve us from 
blindness of heart, from pride, vain glory, and hypo- 
crisy, from envy, hatred, and malice, and from all 
uncharitableness ; from fleshly lusts, that war against 
the soul, and from all the deceitful allurements of 
this present evil world; from all sedition, secret 
conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, 
and spirit of division and party; from hardness of 
heart, and contempt of Thy word and command- 
ments* And while we continue in this world, pre- 
serve us, if it please Thee, from lightning and tem- 
pest, from plague, pestilence, and famine, from battle 
and murder, and, if it please Thee, from untimely, 
but especially from unprepared-for, death. In the 
time of tribulation and in the time of prosperity — in 
the season of health and on the bed of sickness — in 
the hour of death and at the day of judgment — good 
Lord support, preserve, and deliver us J 

We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord 
God, that it may please Thee to direct and keep all 
Thy sincere worshippers in the right way: that it 
may please Thee to preserve, and strengthen in Thy 
true religion, the true worship of Thee, and in right- 
eousness and holiness of life, Thy servant George our 
King and Governor ; to rule his heart in Thy faith, 
fear, and love, that he may ever place his confidence 



( 12 ) 



in Thee, and ever seek Thine honour and glory ; to 
be at all times his gracious Defender and Keeper, and 
to prosper all his righteous undertakings; to bless 
and preserve the whole Royal family; to enlighten 
all the ministers of religion with true knowledge and 
understanding of Thy word; that both by their 
preaching and living they may set it forth and recom- 
mend it accordingly; to endue the Lords of the 
Council, the Members of both Houses of Parliament 
with grace, wisdom, and understanding; to bless and 
keep the Magistracy, supreme and subordinate, and 
enable them to execute justice and to maintain peace; 
to bless and preserve all Thy people of these realms ; 
and finally to grant unto all nations unity, peace, and 
concord. 

For ourselves we beseech Thee, of Thy great good- 
ness, to give to each of us a heart to love and reve- 
rence Thee, and diligently to live after Thy com- 
mandments; to grant unto us and to all Thy people 
increase of the knowledge of Thy word, and sincere 
desire to obey it ; that we may hear it at all times 
with meekness and reverence; receive it with pure 
affection, and bring forth the proper fruits of it in all 
holy conversation and godliness. 

We also beseech Thee for our fellow-creatures 
every where, that it may please Thee to bring into 
the way of truth all such as have erred and are de- 
ceived ; by Thy grace to strengthen such as do stand, 
to comfort and help the weak-hearted, and to raise up 



( 13 ) 



them that fall; and finally to give unto all the victory 
over every temptation. 

May it please Thee also to succour, help and com- 
fort all that are in danger, necessity and tribulation : 
to preserve all that are travelling by land or water ; 
all women labouring of child; all sick persons and 
yotmg children ; and to shew Thy pity upon all pri- 
soners and captives; defend and provide for the 
fatherless children and widows, and all that are deso- 
late and oppressed ; especially for all that suffer for 
righteousness' sake. 

O gracious Father 1 bless, preserve, and shew 
mercy unto all men. Forgive our enemies, perse- 
cutors, and slanderers, and turn their hearts. 

May it please Thee to give, and to preserve to our 
tise, the kindly fruits of the earth ; so that in their 
several seasons we may enjoy them, 

And we beseech Thee, O Lord, accept our sincere 
repentance, forgive us all our sins, negligences, and 
ignorances, and endue us with the grace of Thy holy 
spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy word. 
O merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a 
contrite heart, nor the desire t>f such as be sorrowful 
with a godly sorrow, graciously assist our prayers 
which we make before Thee in all our troubles and 
adversities whensoever they oppress us; and merci- 
fully hear us, that those evils, which the force of 
powerful temptations, or the craft or subtilty of man 
worketh against us, may be brought to nought, and 

c 



( 14 ) 



by the providence of Thy goodness be disposed, that 
we Thy servants, being hurt by no assault or trial, 
may ever more give thanks unto Thee, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

O Lord, we have heard with our ears, and our 
Fathers have declared unto us, the noble works which 
Thou didst in their days, and in the old time before 
them ; graciously look upon our afflictions ; pitifully 
behold the sorrows of our hearts; mercifully forgive 
the sins of Thy people ; favourably with mercy hear 
our prayers. 

We humbly beseech Thee, O Father, graciously 
to look upon our infirmities, and grant for the honour 
of Thy holy name that in all our trials we may put 
our whole trust and confidence in Thy mercy, and 
ever more serve Thee in holiness and pureness of 
living, as becomes the sincere and faithful disciples of 
Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace, &c. 

Our Father, &c. 



I 15 ) 



III. 

"PRAISE WAITETH FOR ThEE, O God ! AND UNTO 

Thee shall the vow be performed. O Thou 

THAT HEAREST PRAYER, UNTO ThEE LET ALL 
FLESH COME ! 

Introductory Prayer. 

O eternal, incomprehensible, invisible Jehovah, 
infinite in power, wisdom, and goodness, dwelling in 
light to which no man can approach^ where the most 
exalted of glorified spirits veil their faces before Thee ; 
yet dwelling also with the humble and contrite, and 
taking pleasure to raise the spirit of the humble, and 
revive the hearts of the contrite ones ! Thou hast 
consecrated for us a new and living way, that with 
boldness we may enter into the holy place, through 
the blood of Jesus Christ: Dispose us to come to 
Thee at Thy call, and to worship at thy footstool, in 
his name and as <his\lisciples. Thou art greatly to 
be feared in the assemblies of Thy saints, and to be 
had in reverence of all those who approach Thy 
throne : Put Thy fear into our hearts, that with re- 
verence we may serve Thee. Dispose us to draw 
nigh to Thee with our hearts, and not only with our 
lips ; and to worship Thee, who art a spirit, in spirit 
and in truth. Let. thy word be read and heard by us 

c 2 



( 16 | 



as truly the word of God. Give us attentive and 
hearing ears, believing and understanding hearts, that 
we may neither refuse Thy calls, nor disregard Thy 
mercy, nor slight Thy counsels and reproofs. Write 
Thy laws on our minds and on our hearts, that we 
may be in all things taught of God. Let Thy 
word be lively and powerful, a discern^er of the 
thoughts and intents of the heart; let it cast dpwn 
vain imaginations, and every high thing that advance 
eth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring 
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 
Let it dispose us to magnify Thee with thanksgiving, 
and to triumph in Thy praise ; to rejoice in Thy sal- 
vation, and to glory in Thy holy name. 

O Lord open Thou our lips, and let our mouths 
shew forth Thy praise : And let the words of our 
mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable 
in Thy sight, Q Lord, our strength and our Redeem- 
er. Amen. 

(First Lesson.) 

HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER, 
BUT WHOSO CONFESSETH AND FORSAKETH THEM 
SHALL FIND MERCY. 

O most holy and righteous, but merciful and gra- 
cious God, who hatest all iniquity, and hast appointed 
death to be the punishment, but yet hast compassion 
upon the creatures whom Thou hast made, and for 



( n ) 



the glory of Thy mercy hast sent Thy Son to be the 
Saviour of the world, and by him hast promised the 
forgiveness of their sins to all those who believe in 
him, and by true repentance turn unto Thee : We 
confess that we have erred and strayed from Thy ways 
like lost sheep, and have turned every one his way. 
Thou madest us, and not we ourselves, we are Thy 
children and the sheep of Thy pasture; we ought, 
therefore, to have given ourselves up to Thee, and 
have glorified Thee with our bodies and spirits, which 
are Thine. Whatever we did should have been done 
to Thy glory; and to please Thee by obeying Thy 
will. But we have displeased and dishonoured Thee ; 
exalting, seeking, and pleasing ourselves. — Thou art 
the King of all the earth; and Thy laws are holy, 
just and good : Yet we have not paid Thee the due 
submission of obedient subjects, but, unruly and self- 
willed, have made provision to fulfil the lusts of the 
flesh ; we have stumbled at Thy law through unbelief, 
and have not fully placed our hope and confidence in 
Thee. — Thou art infinite love and goodness ; yet have 
we not made Thee our chief portion, nor loved Thee 
with our heart and soul and might. But we have in- 
ordinately loved ourselves; and the world, and the 
things of the world, have engaged too much of our 
concern. — Thou hast been a kind and gracious Mas- 
ter, but we have been negligent and slothful servants ; 
yielding to temptations, ashamed of our duty, and 
wasters of our precious time. We have not with due 

c 3 



( 18 ) 



reverence drawn near to Thee, and honoured as we 
ought Thy name, Thy worship, and Thy day. We 
have been often guilty of not loving our neighbours 
as ourselves; nor have we done to others, as we would 
they should do to us, or studied to do good to all ac- 
cording to our ability. We have sinned secretly and 
openly, in thought, word, and deed, presumptuously 
as well as ignorantly, against thy precepts, promises, 
and threats, against our own consciences, purposes, 
and expectations; while we were hastening to death 
and judgment, for which through all our lives we 
ought to have prepared. — Thou hast even commended 
Thy wonderful love in giving Thy Son for sinners ; to 
reconcile them to Thee while they were enemies by 
wicked works. Thou hast sent Thy messengers to 
invite us to come in, to preach to us the glad tidings 
of the gospel, and freely to offer us pardon and life 
through Jesus Christ. O suffer us not to make light 
of it, and neglect this great salvation ; rejecting his 
holy doctrine and example, resisting his spirit, mini- 
sters, and word. 

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to the 
multitude of Thy mercies. Heal our souls that have 
sinned against Thee, and enter not into judgment 
with Thy servants. Hide Thy face from our sins, and 
blot out our iniquities. Turn us, O God of our sal- 
vation, and cause Thy face to shine upon us. Give 
us repentance unto newness of life, create in us a clean 
heart, and renew a right spirit within us ; give us the 



( 19 ) 



spirit of Thy son's gospel ; enlighten our understand- 
ings, that we may know the wonderful things of Thy 
law, the measure of Thy love in Christ, and the glory 
of the inheritance of the saints in light, that we may 
be brought to hate every false way, and to approve 
only the things which are excellent. Cause us to 
seek first Thy kingdom and its righteousness ; to lay 
up our treasures in heaven, and have our hearts and 
conversations there. Cause us to live by faith, and to 
look at the things which are unseen ; and to use the 
world as not abusing it, seeing that the fashion of it 
passeth away. Let us study in all things to please 
and to be acceptable to Thee, not seeking our own 
wills, but the will of Him that hath called us ; as He 
is holy, so may we be holy in all manner of conversa- 
tion. Dispose us to love one another, with pure 
hearts, fervently ; and to do good unto all men as we 
have opportunity. Give us also the grace to walk 
circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise ; in patience 
and self-denial, in purity and temperance possessing 
our souls; and being zealous of every good work. 
And though we must be tempted, in this world of 
error and sin, do Thou help us to overcome, and be 
faithful unto the death ; and then may we receive the 
crown of life, which Thou hast promised to them that 
love Thee, by Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; 
in whose comprehensive words we sum up our re- 
quests, saying, as he taught his disciples, Our Father, 
&c. Amen. ( From Baxter's Reformed Liturgy.) 



( 20 ) 




Litany, or General Prayer. 



IV. 



IN EVERY THING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, 
WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE 
MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD. 

O most holy blessed and glorious God, the Creator 
and Governor of the world, the Father of angels and 
men, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who came to redeem the world from its vain conversa- 
tion by his holy doctrine, perfect precepts, and excel- 
lent example; by his obedience unto death to purchase 
unto himself the glorious privilege of publishing to 
the penitent of all nations the forgiveness of their 
sins ; and by his resurrection to exhibit a pattern and 
a pledge of the future resurrection of all men, that all 
may be judged according to their works; we beseech 
Thee to hear our prayers, and have mercy upon us, 
unworthy sinners ; cast us not out when we come to 
Thee, confirm our faith, and accept our repentance, 
that being justified and made the children of God, we 
may have peace with Thee through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, according to his gracious promise. 

Let the holy spirit of his gospel dwell in us, and 
sanctify us throughout that we may be new creatures ; 
let it be in us the spirit of adoption, and the seal and 



( 21 ) 



earnest of our glorious inheritance ; and may we know 
that we are Thine, and that Thou abidest in us, by the 
spirit of holiness which Thou has given us. 

As Thy name, O Lord, is holy, and Thy glory 
covereth the heavens, so let the earth be filled with 
Thy praise. Let our souls ever magnify Thy name, 
and our tongues extol Thee. Let us speak of the 
glorious honour of Thy Majesty ; of Thy greatness, 
power, and glorious kingdom ; of Thy wisdom, holi- 
ness, truth, and righteousness; of Thy goodness, 
mercy, and wondrous works. Let all Jlesh bless Thy 
holy name for ever and ever. 

Let the desire of our souls be to Thy name ; cause 
us to love Thee with all our hearts, to fear Thee and 
to trust in Thy name, to delight in and be satisfied 
with Thee, and whatever we do, to do it to Thy 
glory. 

Keep us from inordinate self love ; from pride, vain 
glory, and hypocrisy; and from dishonouring Thy 
name, Thy word, or Thy service. Make us heartily 
and entirely Thy subjects, believing that Thou art, 
and that Thou art the rewarder of them that dili- 
gently seek Thee. Keep us from impiety and diso- 
bedience, from unbelief, and sensuality; from secu- 
rity and presumption, from distrust and despair « 

Let us study to please Thee in all things. Let 
Thy law be written in our hearts, and let us delight 
to do Thy will ; let our faith and lives be ruled by 
Thy word, which is able to make wise unto salvation : 



( 22 ) 



let us love and search that we may understand it, and 
meditate in it day and night. 

Let us not please ourselves or others against Thee, 
nor be led by the wisdom or desires of the world, nor 
though carelessness, rashness, or presumption, in any 
wise to offend Thee. 

Let us never take Thy holy name in vain, but use 
it in truth and reverence ; keep us from blasphemy, 
perjury, and profaneness; from carelessness in the 
presence of the God of truth, from irreverent words 
or thoughts of Thee, and from neglecting or abusing 
Thy worship or Thy word. 

Help us to keep holy the Lord's day, in remem- 
brance of the blessed work of redemption completed in 
his glorious resurrection. Let us reverently attend 
Thee in public worship, obediently receive Thy word, 
and fervently call upon Thy name : delight ourselves 
in thanksgivings and joyful praises; and together 
with our households serve Thee within Thy gates, 
and not abuse this holy day. 

Let parents bring up their children in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord ; diligently instructing 
them in Thy holy word, and talking of it when they 
are in their house, and when they walk by the way, 
and when they lie down, and when they rise up ; and 
let children love, honour, and obey their parents, that 
they may have the benefit of Thine especial promise. 
Let husbands and wives love each other, and dwell 
together in purity, peace, and holiness. Let Masters 



( 2S ) 



rule their servants in Thy fear, remembering that they 
also have a Master in heaven; and let Servants be 
obedient with reverence and singleness of heart, as to 
the Lord ; from Him also looking for their reward. 

Keep us all from violence, and injury towards our 
neighbour ; from malice, reviling, and unadvised an- 
ger: Let us not render evil for evil, but bear with 
one another's infirmities ; and so fulfil the law of 
Christ. 

Keep us from all impurity of mind, and from all 
occasions and appearances thereof. Let no corrupt 
communication proceed out of our mouth, but such 
only as is good, and useful for edification. 

Keep us from fraud and oppression, and from 
wronging our neighbour in his person or estate. 

Keep us from false witness, lying, or deceit ; from 
unjust or uncharitable censure or reproach ; from all 
perversion of judgment, or injury to our neighbour's 
reputation. 

Keep us from envy, and a spirit of covetousness, 
from seeking our own to the injury of others, but let 
us love our neighbour as ourselves, and do to others 
as we would that they should do to us. 

Teach us to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and his 
holy image in his obedient servants, with a peculiar 
and special love ; but also to love our enemies, and 
pray for them that hate us, and do good unto all men 
as we have opportunity. 



( 24 ) 



Cause us with patience to submit to thy disposals, 
and Wait Thy end ; and keep us from all impatient 
murmurings, from discontent and arrogant reasonings 
against Thy holy will. 

Teach us to depend upon Thee for our daily bread, 
in the lawful use of the means to obtain it. Deliver 
lis, if it please Thee, from such distresses, griefs, and 
sicknesses, as might unseasonably take us off from Thy 
service ; but above all, teach us to value and redeem 
our time, and so to work while it is called to-day, that 
we may never be surprised by an unprepared-for 
death. 

Keep us from intemperance, sloth, and idleness, 
from inordinate desires of pleasure or abundance; 
but, hating food and raiment, may be therewith con- 
tent. 

Keep lis from running into temptations; suffer 
them not to corrupt our judgments, Wills, Affections, 
or Behaviour. Cause us to maintain a diligent and 
constant watch over our thoughts and hearts, our sen- 
ses and appetites, our words and actions. Deliver lis 
from the snares of prosperity and adversity; let us not 
be drawn from Thee to sin by the pleasures, profits, 
or honours of the world ; strengthen us against afflic- 
tions ; let us not forsake Thee in the hour of trial, but 
account the sufferings of this present time unworthy 
to be compared with the glory to be revealed. 

We ask all this of Thee, O Lord, for Thou art the 



( 25 ) 



Universal King, holy and just, to whom it belongeth 
in righteousness to judge the world, and to save Thy 
people. Of Thee, and through Thee, and unto 
Thee, are all things ; to Thee be glory for ever and 
ever. Amen. ( From Baxter's Reformed Liturgy.) 



D 



v 1 

( 26 } 



V. 

HOW AMIABLE ARE Thy TABERNACLES, O LORD Otf 
HOSTS ! PRAISE WAITETH FOR ThEE, O GOD, AND 

unto thee shall the vow be performed ! 

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly 
of Thy people, and to be had in reverence 

by all those who approach hls throne. 

give unto the lord, o ye kindreds of the 
earth, give unto the lord glory and praise : 
give unto the lord the glory due unto hls 
name. Bring an offering of grateful 
hearts, and come into hls courts with 
thanksgiving. 

O God who art supremely happy in Thyself, and 
needest not the services of any of Thy creatures ; be- 
fore whom the highest angels bow, and whom the 
whole host of heaven worshipeth, crying aloud with 
solemn reverence, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Al- 
mighty, who wast, who art, and who art to come. 
Though less than the least of these Thy glorious 
works, we rejoice that we also are permitted to come 
into Thy presence, and to hold communion with 
Thee, the Lord our Maker. Amidst the various 
branches of Thy family, and objects of Thy fatherly 
care, we desire to draw near unto Thee with the spi- 
rit which becomes Thy children. O do Thou assist 



( 27 ) 



us, by the influence of Thy grace, to worship Thee, 
who art a spirit, in spirit and in truth ; to celebrate 
Thy perfections with becoming reverence ; to acknow- 
ledge, with grateful hearts, our entire dependence up- 
on Thee; to confess our sins with unfeigned sorrow, 
and earnestly to implore that mercy and forgiveness, 
which Thou hast promised by Jesus Christ on repen- 
tance and amendment of life. May our thoughts be 
composed, our affections elevated, and our hearts 
deeply impressed with a sense of Thine awful pre- 
sence : may we feel a divine life and energy accom- 
pany these sacred duties ; and may we shew forth the 
praise of Thy goodness in their appointment, not only 
by the services of our lips here, but by the constant 
and cheerful obedience of our lives. 

Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of 
our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord cur 
strength and our redeemer. Amen. 



General Prayer. 

O Lord, Thou hast searched us and known us, 
Thou knowest our down-sitting and our up-rising, 
Thou understandest our thoughts afar off, Thou 
compasseth our path and our lying down, and are 
acquainted with all our ways ; for there is not a word 
on our tongues, but lo> O Lord, Thou knowest it 
altogether. Whither shall we go from Thy spirit ? or 

d 2 



(■28 ) 



whither shall we flee from Thy presence ? If we could 
ascend up into heaven, Thou art there, — if we make 
our bed in the grave, behold Thou art there : if we 
say, surely the darkness shall cover us, even the night 
shall be light about us. Yea the darkness hideth not 
from Thee, but the night is as open as the day : the 
darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. — How 
precious also are Thy thoughts of kindness and acts 
of mercy unto us ; how great is the sum of them ! 
What praise is due to that glorious name which hath 
called us into being, and formed us for virtue and 
happiness: to that watchful Providence which hath 
attended us all our days 5 and to that gracious Hand 
who hath supplied our daily wants, and -crowned us 
with loving kindness and with tender mercy ! Bless 
the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits. 
Above all what praise is due for those mercies which 
are spiritual and divine ! Adored be Thy name, O 
Lord, that the sun of righteousness hath arisen, to 
give light to them that sate in darkness, and in the 
shadow of death, and to guide the feet of Thy servants 
into the way of peace. Adored be Thy name for the 
valuable and important truths which have been taught 
us by Jesus Christ ; for the perfect example which he 
hath set before us ; and for the gracious promises of 
pardon and acceptance which he hath been commis- 
sioned to make, on our faith, repentance, and newness 
of life. Glory be to Thee, O Father of life, that by 
him our prospects are extended beyond the grave; 



( 29 ) 



that he hath brought life and immortality to light; 
that by his death he hath destroyed the power and 
dread of death, and by his resurrection raised us to a 
lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, 
and that can never fade away. 

O gracious God and most merciful Father, it be- 
cometh us to confess with deep humility our great un- 
worthiness of these Thy favours. We have departed 
from the way of Thy commandments ; w r e have fol- 
lowed the devices of our own hearts; we have expos- 
ed ourselves to Thy just displeasure; and our only 
hope is in Thy mercy. We would humbly bow be- 
fore Thee imploring Thy pardon. Be not strict to 
mark or severe to punish our offences; O Lord, have 
mercy on the work of Thy hands. Spare us, good 
Lord; forgive and accept Thy people, according to 
Thy promises to the truly penitent, by Jesus Christ 
Thy well beloved Son. 

O Lord, enable us to forsake every evil way, to 
correct what is wrong 4n-ou^4emper and conduct, and 
to delight henceforth in doing Thy will ; that we may 
obtain from Thee, the God of all mercy, the forgive- 
ness of our past sins, and an inheritance among them 
that are sanctified through faith in Christ Jesus. 

We beseech Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
earth, to give us worthy apprehensions of Thyself the 
one only living and true God. Possess our souls with 
an habitual veneration of Thine excellent greatness, 
and a thankful admiration of Thine infinite goodness 

D 3 



( 30 ) 



and mercy. Dispose us to maintain a constant sense 
of Thy presence, and to act as becometh those who 
are accountable for their whole conduct unto Thee 
who hast appointed a day in which Thou wilt judge 
the world in righteousness by that Man whom Thou 
hast ordained, whereof Thou hast given assurance un- 
to all men, in that thou hast raised him from the dead 
O Thou great searcher of hearts, who lovest truth 
and hatest iniquity, as Thou hast blessed us with the 
glorious light of the gospel, may we walk as becometh 
children of the light. Professing the name of Jesus 
Christ, may we feel the power of his religion on our 
hearts. Cleanse us from all hypocrisy and guile, and 
endue us with that simplicity and godly sincerity, 
which alone can give us confidence towards Thee, 
Let it be our desire and delight, through the whole of 
our lives, to imitate the example of our Master Jesus 
Christ, and to go about doing good. Putting away 
lying, may we speak the truth in love, and manifest 
ourselves to be the sincere disciples of Christ by loving 
one another. 

While we remain in this world, enable us to per- 
form the duties of the stations in which Thy provi- 
dence may place us. Make us thankful for every 
blessing we enjoy ; and if Thou see fit to exercise us 
with affliction, enable us meekly to acquiesce in the 
appointment. May tribulation work out patience, 
and patience experience, and experience hope, a hope 
that maketh not ashamed. May we make it our chie 



( 31 ) 



concern to improve all events, as the means of render- 
ing us wiser and better ; and whenever it shall please 
Thee, the disposer of life and death, to put an end to 
this our present state, may we have a humble but en- 
couraging hope of Thy final acceptance, and of a 
happy admission into Thy heavenly and everlasting 
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Our Father, fyc. 



( 32 } 



VI. 

General Prayer. 

let us pray in the name of our l.ord jesus 
Christ, after the manner in which He 
taught his disciples. 

O Almighty Father, merciful and gracious, who 
formedst us in Thine own image, and hast tenderly 
fed and provided for us all our days ; who art also our 
Father by a more excellent mercy, having granted us 
the adoption of children by our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
dispose us, we beseech Thee, to perform the duty of 
children, that we may never lose our title to so glo- 
rious an inheritance. O let this excellent name, by 
which Thou hast vouchsafed to be related to us, be 
our glory and confidence, our defence and guard, our 
ornament and strength, at once our dignity and motive 
to obedience, — the principle of a holy fear of Thee our 
Father, and of love to Thee and to our brethren of man- 
kind, as partakers of the same hope and dignity with 
ourselves. — Unite us all to each other in the bands of 
holiness and love; let there be no more names of divi- 
sion, or titles of error and party ; let not us, who are 
brethren, contend, but in giving honour to each other 
and glory to Thee; being earnest for the faith, but 
not to the breach of charity, or the denying of each 



( 33 ) 



other's hopes : Grant, rather, that we may all join in 
promoting the honour of Thee our Father ; and in 
celebrating the name, extending the family, and pro- 
pagating the institutions, of Christ our Elder Brother : 
may we earnestly desire, and labour for, the inherit- 
ance to which Thou hast given us a title, by adopting 
us into the dignity of children, and enabling us to cry, 
" Abba, Father, who art in heaven !" 

" Hallowed be Thy name ;" for Thy name alone is 
glorious, and in it is our confidence and hope. They 
that love Thy name shall be joyful in Thee ; all they 
that love Thy name shall put their trust in Thee. Thou 
art worthy, O Lord, of honour and praise and glory 
for ever and ever. We confess Thy glories, we rejoice 
in Thy mercies, we hope in Thy name ; let Thy name 
be praised unto the ends of the world ; let it be believed 
by faith, relied upon with hope, and loved with an 
abundant gratitude. 

Thus may " Thy kingdom come !" and as Thou 
reignest in heaven and in earth, do Thou rule also in 
our hearts ; advance the interests of religion ; let the 
glorious gospel of Thy Son be known in all the 
regions of the earth ; and let all the nations come 
to worship Thee the Father Almighty, submit to 
the obedience of Jesus Christ,, and conform their 
wills to his holy laws. May he rule, in our under- 
standings by faith, in our wills by charity, in our pas- 
sions by restraint and right direction, and in all our 
ways by obedience to his precepts. And when Thy 



( 34 ) 



kingdom within us hath flourished, and is advanced to 
the height for which Thou hast designed it, grant 
that Thy kingdom of glory may succeed, and we Thy 
servants be admitted to the purity, peace, and happi- 
ness of that state, where Thou reignest alone* and art 
all in all. 

To this end may " Thy will be done on earth, as 
it is done in heaven !" Thy will is the measure of 
holiness, peace, and love; let it also be the measure 
of our desires : for we know that whatever Thou 
sayest is true, and whatever thou doest is good. — 
Grant that we may submit our wills to Thine ; being 
patient of evils which Thou inflictest, grateful for all 
the good which Thou sendest ; haters of the evil which 
Thou forbiddest, lovers and doers of the good which 
Thou commandest; that as angels in heaven, so we 
on earth, may obey Thy will with all our faculties ; 
may serve Thee with pure hearts, fervently, with peace, 
and concord, and love unfeigned ; with one heart and 
with one voice glorifying Thee our heavenly Father. 

If it please Thy wisdom and goodness, " give us this 
day our daily bread," Thou, Lord, who hast placed 
us in this state, best knowest what is needful and pro-* 
per for us in it. We presume not, therefore, to pray, 
either as to poverty or riches ; but that Thou wilt feed 
us with food convenient for us, according to that con- 
dition in which Thou hast placed each of us ; that in 
want we may not be tempted to evil, nor in riches to 
wantonness or pride, nor set our affections too strongly 



( 35 ) 



upon any thing in this world ; but that we may use it 
as strangers and pilgrims, for the relief of our need 
and the support of our infirmity, during our passage 
through it to our heavenly abode. Take from Thy 
servants all abject carefulness and mean distrust; and 
whatever may be our proportion of temporal things, 
enable us with comfort to do our duty. 

And O do Thou, most gracious Father, " forgive us 
our trespasses" and sins. Look upon us with the eye of 
that compassion which Thou hast manifested by Christ 
Jesus, for we have sinned against Thee. Pardon die 
inherent imperfection of our lives, the weakness of our 
duty, the carelessness of our spirits ; give us the grace 
to see, acknowledge, and rectify, our affected igno- 
rance, our negligence and rashness, our pride and pre- 
sumption. 

Be pleased also to give us unfeigned charity, that 
we may truly " forgive all who trouble or offend us ;" 
that by this character Thou mayest discern us to be 
Thy children and servants, disciples of the meek and 
forgiving Jesus. 

Give us also grace, O Lord, to flee from all occa- 
sions of sin ; that we may never tempt ourselves, nor 
run into the way of temptation ; and O may Thy 
gracious providence so order the events and circum- 
stances of our lives, that we may not be " led into 
temptation ;" and whenever Thou shalt suffer us to 
enter into trial, be Thou on our side to keep us from 
falling, that we may not fear what man can do unto 



1 

( 36 ) 

us, or any thing into which our own proneness to evil 
might otherwise betray us. May we endure faithfully,, 
and persevere unto the end, that we may receive the 
crown of life, which Thou hast promised by Jesus 
Christ, to those who love and serve Thee. 

We beseech Thee to " deliver us from all evil 
and if Thou see it needful that we endure afflictions, 
do Thou teach us to consider them as the chastise- 
ments of a Father ; and let them be for good to us, 
and not for evil, — to purify our minds from earthly 
attachments, and to fix them on things divine and 
heavenly ; that we Thy servants may, in Thine own 
due time, be found meet to be admitted, under Christ 
our Master and Head, to celebrate the mightiness of 
Thy " kingdom, the power" of Thy majesty, and 
" the glory" of Thy mercy, world without end. 

We ask all in his name, and as his disciples, who 
taught us thus to pray unto Thee : and for all the 
bounties of Thy providence, and all the blessings of 
Thy grace, especially for him who brought life and 
immortality to light, we would offer to Thee, O 
Heavenly Father, everlasting praises. Amen. 

( From Bishop Jeremy Taylor's Paraphrase 
on the Lord's Prayer. J 



< 37 > m 



VII. 

o come let us rise and pray to our father, 
and say unto him, father, we have sinned 
against Heaven and in Thy sight, and are 
not worthy to be called thy children. 

O God, our heavenly Father, who has sent Thy 
son Jesus Christ to reconcile Thy erring guilty child- 
ren unto Thyself, and to bless mankind by turning 
them from their iniquities, we desire to acknowledge 
with humble, penitent, and contrite hearts, that we 
have not been duly sensible of our manifold obliga- 
tions, but have made an ungrateful return for all Thy 
favours. Under a deep sense of our ingratitude, un- 
worthiness, and disobedience, it is a great support and 
comfort to our minds, that Thou art too just and good 
to reject the sincere endeavours of Thy creatures to 
reform, and that Thou hast sent thy son Jesus Christ 
to save us from our sins, and to declare to us the 
terms of Thy forgiveness and favour. In his name, 
therefore, would we present ourselves before Thee, 
and as his disciples entreat of Thee, to pardon what- 
ever Thou hast seen amiss, from the beginning of our 
lives unto this day. Forgive, O Lord, every thought 
of our minds disagreeable to Thy nature and precepts, 
every word of our mouths unworthy of men or of 
Christians, every instance of our behaviour displeasing 

E 



( 38 ) 



to Thee or to our own consciences, every offence, of 
whatever sort or degree, against Thee, our neighbour* 
or ourselves. Forgive us all the sins which we can 
now call to our remembrance; and forgive us like- 
wise all those which, though forgotten by us, are still 
known to Thee, with all their circumstances and ag- 
gravations. Pardon us, O Lord, according to Thy 
own abundant goodness, and to the declarations of 
Thy grace by Thy Son Jesus Christ, and grant us that 
forgiveness which we neither ask nor can expect, but 
on the terms and conditions laid down to us in the 
gospel. Dispose us, therefore, to forgive all those who 
may have offended or injured us ; and to be as truly 
disposed to make reparation for any injuries or neg- 
lects we may have ourselves committed, as we are to 
intreat Thy favour to ourselves. And as we are sen- 
sible that we can expect no forgiveness without 
amendment of life, may we seriously renounce what- 
ever is displeasing to Thee, and make it our great en- 
deavour to correct every thing that has been amiss in 
our past temper and behaviour, and bring ourselves 
still nearer to Thy holiness. And give success, we 
earnestly beseech Thee, by Thy gracious favour 
and providence, to these purposes and desires of our 
souls, and accept these public expressions of them, 
through Thine infinite mercy manifested by Thy Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who hath taught us, when we 
pray, to say, 

Our Father, tyc* 



( 39 ) 



After the Lessons from the Old Testament, let the 
following Form of Thanksgiving and Petition 
be read. 

O God, the Maker and Governor of the world, 
who art perfect in every thing truly great and lovely, 
we appear before Thee under the deepest sense of 
Thy perfections, and of our own great imperfections 
and failings. We know that Thou art far exalted 
above all that we can express or conceive ; that Thy 
mercies are above all our thanks ; and that Thine un- 
changeable attributes stand in no need of our homage : 
but it becomes us to acknowledge and celebrate that 
perfect power and holiness, adorned with infinite 
goodness, and guided by unerring wisdom, which are 
in themselves worthy of our highest admiration and 
praise, as well as the foundation of all the happiness 
that we can enjoy or hope for. 

Accept, O Lord, the tribute of our unfeigned 
thanks, for the manifold experience we have had of 
Thy loving kindness, and the many marks we have 
received of Thine undeserved favour. To Thee we 
owe our being, and all our faculties and powers; 
that we are made capable of knowing Thee, the Au- 
thor of all good, of imitating Thee, the Original of all 
perfection, and of enjoying Thy favour, the foundation 
of lasting happiness. 

It becomes us to remember, likewise, with the 
highest gratitude, that, to secure and carry forward 

e 2 



( 40 ) 



this gracious end of our creation, it hath pleased Thy 
goodness to send thy Son into the world, to teach 
and live and die, that he might save us from our sins, 
and conduct us effectually to true and everlasting hap- 
piness. We bless Thee for the divine instructions 
which he hath given to his followers for obtaining 
eternal life; for the perfect example of holiness and 
patience, which he hath set before us ; for his hum- 
bling himself even unto death in obedience to Thy 
will; and for his plain declarations of Thy gracious 
acceptance of all such as sincerely receive him as their 
Master, and endeavour to know and comply with the 
terms of his gospel. We bless Thee for the mighty 
evidences that he was truly sent from Thee, by the pu- 
rity of his doctrine, the integrity of his life, the num- 
ber of his miracles, and the glory of his resurrection ; 
by his ascension into heaven ; and by his pouring 
down from thence the gifts of the Holy Spirit, for 
the propagation of his religion and the settlement of 
his church. We bless Thee that the joyful sound of 
the gospel hath reached this part of the world ; that 
it hath been reformed, by the favour of Thy good 
Providence, from many of the abuses under which it 
long laboured, and that we have the privilege of stu- 
dying it as it is contained in the holy scriptures ; by 
which we may become more assured of the true way 
to happiness, more fully engaged to follow after it, 
and more likely to obtain greater degrees of it, if we be 
%iot wanting to ourselves. 



( 41 ) 



We would also offer our unfeigned thanks for all 
the mercies of Thy Providence : for all those tempo- 
ral blessings and conveniencies by which thou hast 
made our passage through this world more comforta- 
ble and easy ; for the use of our reason and under- 
standing ; for that measure of health and ease which 
we have enjoyed ; for our preservation from a variety 
of dangers, more than we can number or are ac- 
quainted with; for the supports of friendship and 
society; for the comforts of food, raiment, and habi- 
tation ; and particularly that we have been instructed 
in the principles of true religion, and led to the know- 
ledge of useful and important truths ; as by these 
means we enjoy still greater opportunities of advanc- 
ing yet further in the paths of virtue, and of adding 
an increase of our happiness in the world to come. 

What can we render unto Thee, O Lord, worthy 
of all these instances of thy favour ? We praise 
and magnify Thy glorious name; and acknowledge 
ourselves under the strictest obligations to live and act 
in all respects, as becometh those, who have tasted so 
largely of Thy loving kindness. We would profess 
before Thee our hearty resolution of endeavouring so 
to do; and would offer up our sincere desire, that by 
the consideration of what we have now remembered 
before Thee, we may be led to make returns in some 
degree suitable to so many and so great instances of 
Thy goodness. 

And now, O Lord, according to the same good- 



( 42 ) 



ness, graciously receive the petitions, which we offer 
unto Thee for every good that is fit for us. 

O let the serious consideration of that grace and 
mercy, which hath appeared in the gospel of Jesus 
Christ, effectually lead us to all the good ends pro- 
posed by it. Let the holy precepts of that perfect 
institution, by which we profess to be guided; and the 
spotless example of that great Master, whose followers 
we desire to be accounted, engage us to live in all 
respects as becometh the gospel. Particularly, let the 
peculiar genius of that gospel, and the leading virtues 
of its great Author, influence us to cultivate universal 
charity ; to rejoice in all opportunities of doing good, 
either to the bodies or souls of men ; to stoop to the 
lowest offices of kindness, and to be ever willing to 
condescend and yield for the good of others; that so 
the purest humility, and the most extensive charity, 
may adorn every action and circumstance of .our lives, 
and all pride and passion and uncharitableness may 
be checked and subdued by the power of religion. 
Let the sense of our own imperfections and failings 
dispose us to interpret favourably the actions of others, 
and to forgive their olfences against ourselves : and let 
the sense of Thy goodness in allowing us still time for 
correcting our errors, and for perfecting our souls in all 
th&t is praiseworthy, induce to study more constantly 
and uniformly to please and imitate Thee. 

Our outward condition it is our happiness and duty 
to submit to Thy will. But as Thou hast ordained us 



( 43 ) 



to belong to this world, as well as to expect another, 
we beg, with humble and devout submission, such a 
portion of the good things of life as Thou shalt see 
to be best for us : and as we have already experienced 
in the world some disappointments, losses, and afflic- 
tions, w T e implore Thy gracious regard and Fatherly 
affection, that if it be consistent with Thy wise and 
gracious Providence, Thou wouldst secure us from 
sad accidents and calamitous events, from tormenting 
pains and grievous diseases, and from every thing in- 
consistent with such a happiness as may lawfully be 
desired in this world. Nevertheless, not as we will, 
but as Thou wilt: and if Thine unerring wisdom 
should otherwise determine, inspire us with zeal to 
imitate the patience of our great Master, and with 
rational submission to all Thy dispensations. And let 
the sense of Thy gracious design in all our afflictions 
lead us to the true and right use of them,— to disen- 
gage our affections more and more from this world, 
and to seek for happiness in a better and never- 
changing state. 

Let the consideration of the certainty of death in- 
fluence us to endeavour to make it happy, by such a 
virtuous life as may give us a well-grounded hope in 
Thy mercy. And let the prospect of glory and hap- 
piness hereafter exalt our minds above any fond regard 
to this state of sin and misery ; and enable us to act in 
a manner becoming those, who truly believe that life 
and immortality are brought to light by the gospel. 



( 44 ) 



Finally, O Lord, our great and chief request is, 
that by the disposals of thy good Providence, we may 
attain everlasting happiness hereafter; and that our 
state in this world may be so ordered as most effec- 
tually to secure our eternal and greatest good. Deny 
to us, therefore, out of Thy great goodness, whatever 
may be truly evil, though we should be so weak as to 
desire and wish for it ; and grant unto us every real 
good, though we should be so blind as not to see and 
ask it. As far as our petitions are reasonable and 
agreeable to Thy holy will, so far we entreat Thy 
favourable consent to them ; as far as they are not, so 
far we would utterly renounce them : and in a sense 
of our own imperfections, would pray Thee to accept 
the sincerity of our hearts, and overlook and supply 
the defects of our services. 

All we beg as the disciples of Jesus Christ; and in 
his name ascribe unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, 
everlasting praises. Amen. 

( From Bishop Hoadly's Large 
Form of Prayer. J 



( 45 ) 



VIII. 

Give thanks always for all things to God, 
even the Father, in the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

Almighty God, and most merciful Father ! the 
maker, preserver, and governor of all things; who 
neglectest nothing that Thou hast made. In Thy 
hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of 
all mankind. Thou givest food unto all flesh ; and 
we observe, with admiration, the suitable provision 
Thou hast made for the support and comfort of all 
Thy wanting creatures. 

We desire to be at all times very sensible of, and 
to rejoice in, our own state of dependence on Thee; 
for we also are the work of Thy hands, and under the 
care of Thy Providence. O may we never fail to glo- 
rify Thee, in whose hand our life and breath are, and 
whose are all our ways ! 

Deeply impressed with this conviction, we desire to 
unite in grateful acknowledgments of Thy manifold 
and great benefits to us. We praise Thee for the gift 
and preservation of life; for the wonderful and useful 
frame of our bodies, for the excellence and soundness 
of the capacities of our minds, for that measure of 
health which Thy good Providence continueth to us, 
and for the many comforts which flow from its enjoy- 



( 46 ) 



ment. We thank Thee for a daily supply of many 
things needful for our support and conducive to our 
delight. 

We gratefully acknowledge the kindness of Thy 
Providence in all the comforts and services we derive 
from society, neighbourhood, and friendship ; for the 
daily endearments of relative affections, and the mu- 
tual good offices resulting from our domestic connec- 
ts £5 

tions one with another; and also for the security to 
our persons and properties, together with the other 
manifold and great advantages we enjoy by means of 
our situation in this land of religious and civil liberty, 
and of the protection we receive from the equitable 
constitution and good government under which we 
live. Surely, the lines are fallen to us in pleasant 
places, and we have a goodly heritage. Blessed be 
the Lord, who hath shewn us so largely of His good- 
ness in the land of the living, 

But, above all, would we praise Thee, with our 
whole hearts, for Thy great mercy manifested to man- 
kind by Thy Son Jesus Christ ; whom Thou hast 
given, that whosoever believeth in Him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life. We thank Thee 
for the heavenly instructions, the holy precepts, and 
the exceeding great and precious promises delivered 
to us in the gospeL We thank Thee for the benefit 
of our Lord's excellent and persuasive doctrines ; his 
amiable and perfect pattern ; his plain and profitable 
institutions, his exemplary obedience, even unto 



( 47 ) 



death ; for his glorious resurrection, which is a pattern 
and assurance of that resurrection which he hath pro- 
mised to us; and for his triumphant ascension, now to 
appear in the presence of God for us. Having such 
an high-priest over the house of God, we would at all 
times draw near to Thee, our Father in heaven, with 
pure hearts, in full assurance of faith ; believing that 
Thou art a bountiful rewarder of all them that dili- 
gently seek Thee. 

May it be the earnest desire of our hearts, and our 
continual endeavour, to walk worthy of the holy voca- 
tion wherewith we are called, as the children of Thee, 
our God and Father, and the disciples of Thy holy 
and beloved Son Christ Jesus. To which end dis- 
pose us diligently to read and consider, and enable us 
to understand, the word of Thy truth, especially the 
gospel of our Lord Jesus. May we receive the good 
seed of Thy heavenly word in the love of it, cherish 
it in good and honest hearts, and bring forth the pro- 
per fruits of it in all holy dispositions, and in a sober, 
righteous, and godly conversation. 

Incline us to reverence and love Thee above all 
things; and to maintain a continual regard to Thine 
authority and inspection over us : to rejoice in our de- 
pendence on Thy government ; to be satisfied with Thy 
disposals, thankful for Thy mercies, patient under 
Thy corrections, confiding in Thy promises, that all 
things shall work together for good to them that love 
Thee. In all the events and employments of life may 



( 48 ) 



we set Thee, the Lord, always before us; making 
Thy perfections the ground of our confidence, Thy 
precepts the guides of our conduct, Thy promises the 
rejoicing of our hearts ; and the hope of Thine accep- 
tance, and of glory, honour, and immortality in Thy 
heavenly kingdom, our animating motives to a patient 
continuance in all well-doing. And O ! that there 
may be such an heart in us, that we may fear Thee, 
and love Thee, and keep all Thy commandments al- 
ways, that it may be well with us ! 

Assist us to cherish all kind and good affections to- 
wards all men ; and to suppress and root out of our 
hearts all bitterness, envy, hatred, malice, and all un- 
charitableness. Enable us to maintain, at all times, 
truth in our words, sincerity in our professions, faith- 
fulness to our engagements, and integrity and up- 
rightness in all our dealings. Whatsoever we would 
that men should do unto us, may we do even so unto 
them, in serious expectation of Thy righteous judg- 
ment, wherein there will be no respect of persons. 

Animate us with a spirit of unconfined love and 
good-will, that we may be ready to do good and to 
communicate, as we have ability and opportunity, to 
whomsoever we can serve or oblige. Especially may 
we never filil in sincere gratitude to our friends and 
benefactors; and as we hope that Thou, our most 
merciful Father, wilt forgive us our sins, if we be 
penitent, may we also, from the heart, forgive those 
who have offended or injured us, when they turn to 



( 49 ) 



us; in the mean time guarding against malice, and 
forbearing revenge. May we be always ready to per- 
form with cheerfulness all good offices towards our 
neighbours and acquaintance; and if it please Thee, 
make us instruments of Thy gracious providence for 
real benefits to those among whom we dwell. 

We farther beseech Thee, O most pure and holy 
God, the Father of our spirits, to enable us to purify 
ourselves from all corruption of flesh and spirit, and 
to perfect holiness in Thy fear. May we continually 
preserve a due government over our affections and 
passions, be watchful against all pride, vain-glory, and 
hypocrisy, and suppress all foolish opinions and hurt- 
ful lusts. May we regulate our spirits by humility 
and meekness, keep our bodies in purity and tempe- 
rance, and use the good things of this world as not 
abusing them ; but so as that we may give a good 
account of them to our own reflections at present, and 
to the final Judge. May we be prudent and circum- 
spect in our conduct, contented in our lot, industrious 
in our callings, and both in our present and every fu- 
ture station of life, maintain consciences void of offence 
towards God and towards man ; that we may adorn 
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 

May we at all times consider seriously, and feel the 
powerful influences of the prospects set before us by 
the gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Firmly per- 
suaded of the truth of all Thy promises delivered by 
him, may we behave as pilgrims and strangers upon 

F 



( 50 ) 



earth, where we have no continuing city ; but seek 
for a better country, even an heavenly one, a city 
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is 
God. May the supreme desires of our hearts, and 
our unwearied endeavours, concur with the methods 
of Thy providence and grace, to complete our meet- 
ness for the inheritance prepared for us. 

Finally, O Thou Father of all the families upon 
earth, we commit ourselves unto Thee in our domes- 
tic capacity and family relations. Be Thou the guar- 
dian of our common interests; bestow upon us all 
needful supplies and blessings, and protect us from 
real evil. Assist us all to discharge the duties we 
severally owe one to another, as the servants of God 
our common master in heaven. With kind affections 
one towards another, may we mutually share in pros- 
perity and adversity, and be helpful one to another in 
every temporal and eternal interest. May we live in 
our several families in love and peace, and may the 
God of love and peace dwell with us ; and, in the end, 
make us all sharers in eternal life and happiness, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Now unto him who is able to keep us from falling, 
and to present us faultless before the presence of His 
glory with exceeding joy ; to the Only Wise God, our 
Saviour by Jesus Christ, be glory and majesty, do- 
minion and power, now and ever. Amen. 



( 51 ) 



IX. 

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to Thy 
loving-kindness; quicken Thou us accord- 
ing to Thy word. 

Almighty and ever-living God, who art greatly 
to be feared, and worthy to be had in the highest re- 
verence in the assemblies of Thy saints, and by all 
those who are happy in a sense of their dependence 
upon Thee : under the most awful sense of the glories 
of Thy nature and the majesty of Thy kingdom, we, 
Thy unworthy servants, desire at this time to bow 
down before Thee, and to worship at Thy footstool. 
Look mercifully upon us, we intreat Thee, from hea- 
ven, the habitation of Thy holiness, and enable us to 
present ourselves before Thee with that sincerity and 
truth, which Thou requirest in all those who approach 
Thy throne. Let the "words of our mouths and the 
meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, 
O Lord, our strength and, our redeemer ! 

Thou art the High and Lofty One, who inhabitest 
eternity ; and art of purer eyes than to behold ini- 
quity ! Yet though Thou art high. Thou hast re- 
spect unto the lowly; and hast declared, that unto 
this man Thou wilt look, even unto him that trem- 
bleth at Thy word. Incline Thine ear unto our 
prayer, O Lord ; and hearken unto the voice of our 

f 2 



( 52 ) 



supplication, for unto Thee would we cry, O our 
King and our God ! 

Enlighten our minds, O Lord, with the knowledge 
of Thy word. Incline us to a constant and dutiful 
attention to all Thy holy commandments. Awaken us 
faithfully to search our hearts, and to try our ways. 
Lead us to understand the errors of our lives ; that 
we may be truly humbled under a sense of our of- 
fences, and put away the evil of our doings from Thee ; 
and assist us, we beseech Thee, so to bring forth the 
fruits which are meet for repentance, that we may 
have peace with Thee, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and rejoice in the hope of Thy glory. 

Incline us, O Lord, to love Thy statutes, and may 
we rejoice to keep them, even unto the end. Create 
in us pure hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit 
within us. Let every sinful desire, and every evil 
affection, be put away far from us ; and may all our 
thoughts and purposes be brought into subjection to 
Thy Divine authority. In all our ways may our eyes 
be unto Thee, as the God whose we are, and whom 
we are bound to serve ; and do Thou impress upon 
our minds, we beseech Thee, such a conviction of 
the righteousness of Thy precepts, of the unspeakable 
obligation by which we are bound to obey Thy word, 
and of Thy great goodness to all those who sincerely 
love and serve Thee, that we may be ever fervent in 
fulfilling Thy pleasure, and run the way of Thy com- 
mandments with great delight. So we Thy people 



( 53 ) 



will give Thee thanks for ever ; we will shew forth 
Thy praise unto all generations / 

May the love of Christ so constrain us, that we 
may live not unto ourselves, but unto Hini that died 
for us, and rose again from the dead. Enable us to 
to discern the brightness of his example, the purity of 
his precepts, and the inestimable value of that glory 
to which he came to raise Thine unworthy creatures, 
that w r e may thankfully receive that great salvation 
which he hath set before us. Lead us to become his 
willing and obedient subjects ; strengthen us to con- 
tinue in his word : and let no allurements which mav 
lie in wait to seduce us, no terrors which may set 
themselves in array against us, ever move us aside 
from our steadfastness. Let the same mind be in us, 
which was also in him ; and may we walk worthy of 
the holy calling wherewith he hath called us, in all 
holy conversation and godliness : in all lowliness 
and long-suffering, in all humility and meekness ; for- 
giving one another, and loving one another, even as 
he also loved us, and gave himself for us. May the 
hope of that eternal life, w T hich he hath been com- 
missioned to promise to all his faithful followers, in- 
cite us to purify ourselves, even as he is pure; and so 
keep us from all the corruptions that are in the world, 
that we may be sincere and without offence till the 
day of his coming. 

While we remain in these earthly tabernacles, let 
Thine eye be over us for good ; and so conduct us 

f 3 



( 54 ) 



through the various changes of life, as Thou seest 
will be most profitable for us. We rejoice that our 
times are in Thy hands : and amidst the darkness and 
uncertainty which hide future events, we would cheer- 
fully commit ourselves to Thine ever righteous and 
most merciful disposal. Guard us, O Thou most 
compassionate Father, from every thing truly evil; 
and grant unto us, we beseech Thee, every real bless- 
ing. Permit no temptations to assail us, but such as 
we shall be enabled to bear. Preserve us from the 
snares of prosperity; prepare us for the shocks of 
adversity : and whatsoever sufferings may be allotted 
to us here, impart thy powerful supports under them, 
and give us understanding wisely to improve. Enable 
us dutifully to acquiesce in the most painful appoint- 
ments of Thy providence ; satisfied that Thou knowest, 
in every instance, what is best for Thy creatures : and 
though our trials should continue and be multiplied, 
help us to remain still unshaken in our devotedness to 
Thee, and willingly to endure all things, so that we 
may enjoy Thy favour. Enable us in every thing to 
give thanks : let faith and patience have their perfect 
work : and may all the light afflictions of this present 
world finally work out for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory. Go before us, O Lord, 
and guide our ways ; Jit us for all Thy will : and let 
Thy mercy he upon us, we humbly beseech Thee, ac- 
cording as we hope in Thee. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may 



( 55 ) 



apply our hearts unto wisdom. Through all the vicis- 
situdes of this uncertain state, enable us to look for- 
ward to that great change, towards which we are 
continually approaching, and to that awful day of 
account which is to succeed it. Let the prospect of 
that great revelation of Thy righteous judgment, 
awaken the lively concern of our hearts to be found 
always ready. Fix the sense of it, we earnestly be- 
seech Thee, most gracious God, in every heart which 
is here before Thee; and grant, that neither the cares, 
nor the pleasures, nor any of the objects of this pre- 
sent world, may betray us into a forgetful n ess of those 
things which belong to our peace, and cause that day 
to come upon us unawares. May w T e be sober, and 
watch unto prayer; may we have our loins always 
girt, and our lamps burning, and ourselves like unto 
those who look for the coming of their Lord : and 
whenever Thou shalt call us hence, may our end be 
full of peace and hope. Above all, may we obtain 
mercy of the Lord at the great day : and when all 
Thy children shall be gathered into one glorious as- 
sembly, to inherit the kingdom prepared for them, 
may we be found of that happy number ; and enter 
into the joy of our Lord. 

Now unto Him who is able to keep us from falling, 
and to present us faultless before the presence of His 
glory with exceeding joy, to the Only Wise God, our 
Saviour by Jesus Christ, be glory and majesty, domi- 
nion and power, for ever and ever. 



( 56 ) 



X. 

Wherewith shall we come before the Lord, 

AND BOW BEFORE THE MOST HlCxII GOD ? He 

hath shewed us what is good \ and what the 
Lord our God reouireth : that we do justly, 

LOVE MERCY, AND WALK HUMBLY BEFORE OUR 

God. 

O Lord our heavenly Father, Almighty and Eter- 
nal God ; who hast safely brought us to the beginning 
of this day ; and dost graciously permit us by prayer 
and supplication, with thanksgiving, to make known 
our requests unto Thee: fulfil, we. beseech Thee, to 
Thy unworthy servants, assembled before Thee at this 
time, Thy gracious promise that Thou will draw nigh 
unto all those who desire to draw nigh unto Thee. 
Impress our minds with a deep sense of Thine infi- 
nite excellence. Dispose us to confess our sins before 
Thee with that humility and true contrition which 
may influence our future conduct, and induce us to 
avoid whatever is displeasing in Thy sight. While 
we attempt to recount Thy various mercies, may our 
hearts unite with our lips to shew forth Thy praise. 
May Thy people attend, with seriousness, candour, 
and meekness, to the reading and preaching of Thy 
holy word, and be concerned above all things to im- 
prove in the knowledge and practice of virtue and true 



( 57 ) 



religion. Dispose all who profess to worship Thee 
every where, to be sincere and earnest in their inten- 
tion and purpose to serve Thee with a pure heart, 
and faithfully to perform Thy holy will ; that they 
may hereafter be united together with the general so- 
ciety of Thy worshipping servants in heaven. — All this 
we humbly ask in the name, and as the disciples, of 
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord and Saviour; through 
whom we ascribe unto Thee, the Father Almighty, 
everlasting praises. Amen. 

[After the reading of Psalms, and Lesson from the 
Old Testament, let the service proceed with the fol- 
lowing General Prayer.'] 

O Lord God our heavenly Father, we. Thy un- 
worthy servants, desire to praise Thy name for every 
instance of Thy goodness and loving kindness to us 
and to all men. We thank Thee that Thou hast 
brought into existence, endowed us with the powers 
of reason and understanding, and formed us for hap- 
piness in a future world. We adore Thee for the 
watchful providence by which our lives have been 
preserved; that by Thee we have been defended 
amidst those calamities and dangers, which we could 
neither foresee nor prevent ; and that we are permitted 
at this time to join together in the offices of social 
worship. 

We acknowledge ourselves indebted to thy good- 
ness for all the blessings we have enjoyed ; for the 



( 58 ) 



provision which Thou hast made for the supply of our 
various wants ; for our present ease and health ; for 
the advantages of society and friendship ; and for every 
circumstance and event which hath contributed to the 
happiness of our lives. Blessed be the JLord, who 
daily loadeth us with His benefits, and causeth His 
loving kindness to be continually manifested unto us. 

Above all we bless Thee for thy favour and mercy 
displayed in the dispensation of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ. We thank Thee for the perfect pattern of 
piety and virtue which he hath set before us; for the 
excellent precepts which he hath delivered ; for the 
full and animating assurance which he hath given us 
of life and immortality ; and from the promise of Thy 
Divine assistance and favour to all those who sin- 
cerely endeavour to know and to do Thy will. We 
praise Thee that he hath confirmed the truth and 
divine authority of his mission by his death and resur- 
rection ; that he is now exalted at thy right hand ; 
and that he will come again at the last day to judge 
the world in righteousness, and to be glorified in all 
his faithful followers. 

We praise Thee, above all, that Thou hast sent 
him into the world, not to condemn the world, but 
that the world through him might be saved: that 
Thou hast sent him to preach remission of sins upon 
repentance. As his disciples we desire to confess, 
with humble and penitent hearts, our manifold trans- 
gressions of Thy holy laws. We have made an 



( 59 ) 



ungrateful return for all Thy favours ; we have not 
rightly improved the privileges which thou hast granted 
us : our only hope is in Thy mercy — on Thy mercy 
dost Thou encourage us to hope ! Lord, pardon us. 
Thy penitent children, according to the abundant 
goodness of Thy nature, and to the gracious declara- 
tions which Thou hast made by Jesus Christ. Grant 
us, heavenly Father, Thy divine assistance that we 
may forsake our sins, and ever more serve and please 
Thee in newness of life to the glory of Thy holy name ! 

O merciful God, the Father of lights and the Foun - 
tain of all wisdom, enlighten our minds with the 
knowledge of Thy truth ; may it sink deep into our 
hearts, regulate our affections, and influence our con- 
duct. May thy favour and mercy to mankind, de- 
clared by Jesus Christ, incite us to due returns of 
love and obedience. Forgetting the things which are 
behind, and reaching forth to those which are before, 
may we press towards the mark, for the prize of the 
high-calling of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

Assist us in the discharge of all social and relative 
duties. Make us honest in our dealings, sincere in 
our professions, and steadfast to our engagements. 
May the pure and benevolent spirit of the Gospel 
inspire us with delight in doing good, with readiness 
to relieve the poor, and with compassion to all who 
are in distress. Dispose us to be grateful to our 
friends, to forgive our enemies, and to do always unto 
others as we would that they should do unto us. 



( 60 ) 



And while we profess ourselves the disciples of Jesus 
Christ, may we endeavour to imitate his example. 
May we be supported and animated to every good work, 
by the hope of that life and immortality which he hath 
brought to light by the gospel. May we live in a 
state of daily improvement, and preparation for his 
second coming to judge the world, that he may then 
pronounce upon us that favourable sentence " Well 
done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the 
joy of your Lord !" 

O God, the preserver of all who fear, love, and 
trust in Thee, we recommend ourselves and all 
our concerns to the disposal of Thy gracious provi- 
dence. Thou knowest what is truly good for us ; and 
it is the source of our comfort and joy, that we are 
under Thy fatherly care. In humble submission to 
Thy will, we beseech thee to continue unto us the 
use of our understanding and reason, and to bless us 
with health of body and tranquillity of mind. Be- 
stow upon us such a share of external things as Thou 
knowest will be best for us. Conduct us by Thy gra- 
cious hand through all the changes of this life; and 
may we at length become perfect and happy in the 
possession of that heavenly inheritance, which is in- 
corruptible, and fadeth not away. 

Hear us, Almighty God, in these our united peti- 
tions. Grant that by these religious services we may 
be more deeply impressed with reverence for Thee, 
with love to our brethren of mankind, with zeal for 



( 61 ) 



the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with a sin- 
cere concern for our religious improvement and our 
eternal salvation. 

Assist us, we beseech Thee, in the duties which 
further lie before us. May we hear the instructions 
which shall be given from Thy word with seriousness 
and attention; may our minds be enlightened to dis- 
cern the true way to everlasting life ; and may we at 
length be brought to Thy heavenly kingdom, which 
Thou hast promised to all Thy faithful servants by 
Thy Son Jesus Christ. 

Our Father, &c. Amen. 



( 62 ) 



XL 

WHOSO OFFERETH PRAISE, GLORIFIETH GOD ; AND TO 
HIM THAT ORDERETH HIS CONVERSATION ARIGHT, 
WILL THE LORD SHEW HIS SALVATION. 

Almighty and ever-living God, we desire at all 
times to present ourselves before Thee, adoring Thee 
as a Being of incomprehensible majesty and absolute 
perfection, of spotless purity and strict justice, of inf- 
erring wisdom, of boundless power, of unlimited, un- 
changeable goodness, worthy to be feared, trusted, and 
loved, by all Thy reasonable creatures. We esteem it 
our high honour, and our chief privilege, that we have 
the liberty to lay open our wants and necessities be- 
fore Thee, who art able to do for us exceedingly and 
abundantly above all that we can ask or think, or 
reasonably desire. We would therefore refer our- 
selves, and the management of all our concerns, to 
Thine unerring conduct, and in every thing by prayer 
and supplication, with fervent and devout thanksgiv- 
ing, make known our requests unto Thee. O Thou 
great Author of mercies, O God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, incline, we beseech Thee, a favour- 
able ear unto our supplications. 

We have great reason, O God, with the deepest con- 
trition of soul, to confess, before Thee our manifold 
sins, and heinous and aggravated provocations. We 



( 63 ) 



acknowledge that we have offended against Thee our 
Creator and Father, our supreme and righteous Go- 
vernor, and our constant benefactor. We have acted, 
in many instances, in a manner unworthy of our rea- 
sonable natures, and unsuitable to our character and 
hopes as Christians. We have sinned against heaven, 
even before Thee, and are not worthy to be called 
Thy children. But our hope and confidence is in 
Thy mercy, O Lord: and to encourage this hope, 
Thou hast declared Thy name, even to Thine ancient 
people, to be " The Lord, The Lord God, merciful 
and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in good- 
ness, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin ;" and 
Thou hast sent Thy son Jesus Christ to preach the 
forgiveness of sin, and hast even instituted him a 
IT*crcy-seat for all mankind^ to proclaim the pardon of 
their sins to all who repent of and forsake them. O 
God be merciful unto us, be merciful to us, according 
to Thy loving kindness, and according to the multi- 
tude of Thy tender mercies, blot out all our trans- 
gressions. And that we may become meet objects of 
thy pardoning grace, according to the righteous con- 
ditions of the gospel, dispose us to exercise most hum- 
ble and unfeigned repentance for the errors of our 
past conduct ; and wherein soever we have done amiss, 
enable us, we beseech Thee to do so no more. Make 
us to look upon vice and transgression with aversion 
and horror, as the stain and infamy of our reason, as 
contrary to Thy most perfect nature, and as productive 

g 2 



( 64 ) 



of shame and misery in the world. Create in us, 
O God, a pure heart, and renew a right spirit within 
us. Cast us not away from Thy presence; take not 
Thy holy spirit from us. To this end we pray Thee, 
cleanse Thou our hearts from all our secret faults, let 
them no longer have dominion over us ; but may we 
henceforth be upright, and innocent of the great trans- 
gression of sinning against Thee : and may the words 
of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, and 
the actions of our lives, become henceforth accept- 
able in Thy sight, O God, our Strength, our Re- 
deemer and Judge. 

Make us careful evermore to maintain and cultivate 
exalted and honourable apprehensions of Thy nature, 
perfections, and providence ; to sanctify Thee in our 
hearts, and make Thee the object of our habitua! 
and constant reverence ; to love Thee with all our 
understanding, with all our mind, and with all our 
strength, as the best and most amiable of Beings. 
Let it ever be our highest ambition, our chief honour, 
and our supreme happiness, to resemble Thee in all 
things ; to be holy as Thou art holy, merciful as Thou 
art merciful, and perfect, in proportion to the extent 
of our powers, as Thou, our Father in heaven, art 
perfect. 

Enable us faithfully to discharge also the duties 
which we owe to each other, as well as the duties of 
piety, which we owe to Thee our God ; to love mercy 
and delight in doing good, as well as in walking 



( 65 ) 



humbly before Thee; to practise impartial justice, strict 
integrity, generous benevolence, and tender charity 
and compassion, to all our fellow-creatures ; to rejoice 
with them that rejoice, and weep with them that 
weep; to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil 
the law of Christ; to learn of him to be gentle and 
condescending, meek and lowly of heart, and to cul- 
tivate the excellent principles of universal love and 
good-will according to his doctrine ; that so, through- 
out the whole of our conduct, we may dignify our 
natures, and recommend our religion. 

Make us strict in all the offices of self-government, 
and restrain our appetites within due bounds : make 
us sober, and chaste, and temperate in all things; 
remembering that Thine all-seeing eye is ever upon 
us, and that Thou will bring every work into judg- 
ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or 
whether it be evil. 

O Lord, who knowest our frame, and rernemberest 
that we are dust, have compassion upon our frailty 
and infirmity, and suffer us not to be tempted beyond 
what we are able to bear. Let us never remove our 
integrity from us, nor let our hearts reproach us so 
long as we live; but let this be the constant matter of 
our rejoicing, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we 
have had our conversation in the world. Let the full 
persuasion of thy gracious disposition to accept our 
sincere though imperfect endeavours to serve Thee, 
and to answer the ends of our creation, support us 

o 3 



( 66 ) 



under all the revolutions and changes, under all the 
difficulties and calamities, under all the temptations 
and trials, which we may meet with in this life, and 
fortify us against the fears of death : and when Thou, 
supreme over all, shall judge the world in righteous- 
ness, by that Man whom Thou hast ordained, may 
we be enabled to lift up our heads before Thee, with 
humble confidence and joy, and have an entrance ad- 
ministered unto us abundantly into Thine eternal 
kingdom and glory. 

O Father of lights, Eternal Fountain of wisdom^ 
Giver of every good and perfect gift, what we know 
not do Thou teach us, what there is amiss in us help 
us carefully to reform, what there is good in us help 

i 

us thoroughly to perfect. O God of infinite purity, 
deliver us from the dominion and tyranny of irregular 
desires, from the enslaving power qf corrupt and cri- 
minal prejudices, and from the influence of evil exam- 
ples. Prepare us for all the events of Thy providence 
concerning us ; that under Thine overruling guidance 
and direction, we may be continually improving in all 
good dispositions, and that by a constant course of 
rational piety, and of cheerful and amiable virtue, we 
may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all 
things. 

And now, O gracious Father, we commit ourselves 
to Thy care and keeping. Preserve us from the evils 
to which we may be exposed ; prosper our just and 
lawful undertakings, and teach us to acknowledge 



( 67 ) 



Thee in all our ways. Direct us by Thine unerring 
counsel, defend us by Thy mighty power, and provide 
for us by Thy never-failing goodness, while we are in 
this uncertain, transitory world, and after death, we 
humbly beseech Thee, be Thou our inheritance and 
exceeding great reward, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord and Saviour ; who hath taught when we pray 
to say, Our Father, &c. 

( From Dr. James Foster's Offices of Devotion, 
Posth. Disc. Vol. II. p. 393.) 



1 



( 68 j 



XII. 

THE LORD IS GOOD UNTO THE 31 THAT WAIT UPON 
HIM; TO THE SOUL THAT SEEKETH HIM. 

O most great and glorious God, we Thy depen- 
dent creatures would present ourselves before Thee at 
this time with sentiments of humility and deep vene- 
ration, adoring Thee as the One only living and true 
God, and the only proper Object of religious homage 
and worship : for Thou only art every where present 
to hear our supplications ; and art alone possessed of 
infinite wisdom to contrive, almighty power to exe- 
cute, and perfect goodness to desire the happiness of 
Thy creatures. 

We are sensible that our goodness cannot extend to 
Thee, and that Thy glory can receive no addition 
from our imperfect services. Thou knowest all our 
circumstances and wants,, and needest not that we 
should inform Thee of them: Thy unchangeable 
goodness is at all times disposed to bestow upon us 
every real good : we presume not, therefore, by our 
religious worship, to promote Thy perfection, to in- 
crease Thy knowledge, or to move Thy compassion. 
But to testify unto others our reverence for Thee, the 
Author of our being, to excite and improve good dis- 
positions in our own minds, and by contemplating 
and admiring Thy perfections to form our spirits to a 



( 69 ) 



resemblance of Thine, would we now join in expressing 
before Thee the gratitude and devotion of our hearts ; 
which is our reasonable service. 

Assist us to perform this solemn duty in such a 
manner, as to render our services acceptable to Thee, 
and of great advantage to our own souls. Do Thou, 
who hast constant access to our minds, dispose the 
frame and temper of them for conversing with hea- 
venly objects, and excite in us a spirit of genuine 
piety and true devotion. Considering that we are, 
now and at all times, in the presence of that God who 
searcheth the heart, may we ever be afraid to praise 
Thee with our mouths, and honour Thee with our 
lips, while our hearts are far from Thee. May no 
intruding cares disturb our devotion, no mean desires 
or affections interrupt our delightful intercourse with 
Thee, the Father of our spirits; but may our souls be 
wholly and closely engaged in the sacred exercises 
of religion. 

And with us be gracious also to every assembly of 
worshipping christians this day. May the gospel of 
Christ have free course and be glorified, and manifest 
itself to be the power of God unto salvation. May it 
every where triumph over corruption and sin, and be- 
come the blessed instrument of turning many souls out 
of the paths of wickedness and folly, into the way 
which leads unto everlasting life. 

Hear us, merciful Father, pardon our imperfec- 
tions ? and accept our services, a§ those of grateful 



( 70 ) 



disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we 
ascribe unto Thee everlasting praises. Amen. 

Lessons from the Old Testament. 

O Almighty and most gracious Father, God over 
al], blessed for evermore ! Who can by searching find 
out Thee? Who can find out Thee, the Almighty, 
unto perfection ? Yet blessed be Thy name, who 
hast revealed Thyself in Thy works and in Thy word; 
and in both hast enabled us to discover so much con- 
cerning Thee, as demands our supreme homage, vene- 
ration, and love. 

We adore the immensity of That Wisdom, which 

knoweth all things both in heaven and in earth ; un- 
der whose notice we are when we converse with our 
fellow-creatures, and when we are alone by ourselves 5 
which seeth us by night as well as by day, and wit- 
nesses not our outward behaviour only, but also every 
thing which passes within us. We stand in awe of 
the resistless power of Him, by whom the heavens and 
the earth were created ; who spake and they were 
made, who commanded and all things were estab- 
lished; whose providence sustaineth and preserveth 
them, and who doeth what pleaseth Him in the armies 
of heaven, and among the inhcibitants of the earth. 
We rejoice in that goodness, which constantly che- 
risheth and adorneth the creation, and causeth every 
part of it to abound with beauty, order, and happiness ; 
which is not confined to superior beings and to higher 



( 71 5 

worlds, but sheds its influence on this earth also, and 
visits with kind regard the creatures which are made 
to dwell upon it. We praise Thee, O Lord, the Fa- 
ther of mankind, that Thou hast enabled us to behold 
Thy goodly works, to be instruments in the hand of 
Thy providence, and to partake of Thy bounty and 
fevour. We bless Thee for the art and skill displayed 
in our formation ; for the exactness with which our 
various senses and affections are adapted to the cir- 
cumstances in which we are placed; and especially 
for that constitution of our minds, which has rendered 
us capable of those exalted satisfactions, which arise 
from the contemplation of truth, from the exercise of 
friendly and social dispositions, and from the love and 
practice of religion and virtue. 

But it is our duty above all to love Thee, with our 
whole hearts, for that rich grace and mercy manifested 
in the redemption of our degenerate race : that when 
men had debased their excellent nature, and departed 
from the true God, when they were corrupt in 
their understandings and hearts, and sunk in igno- 
rance and sin, Thou hadst compassion, and didst gra- 
ciously appoint the means of their recovery by Jesus 
Christ : in whom Thou hast set up a perfect pattern 
of holiness and virtue, hast given us in his gospel the 
most pure and excellent precepts, a full and joyful 
assurance of life and immortality, and the promise of 
Thy gracious assistance and support in the pursuit of 
virtue, glory, and eternal life. 



( 78 ) 



We praise Thee that this grace, which offereth sal- 
vation to all men, hath appeared unto us ; and that 
we enjoy so many advantages for improving our souls 
in knowledge and goodness, and training us up for 
life everlasting. 

In the mean time we thank Thee for all the advan- 
tages we have enjoyed ; for our present ease and 
health ; for the continued use of our reason ; for our 
relatives, friends, and acquaintance; for the inter- 
courses of general society; and for every thing which 
has contributed to the comfort of our lives, or the 
improvement of our souls in grace and goodness. 
Thy mercies, O Lord, surpass the power of our 
thoughts to conceive; they are new every day, and 
increase as fast as the moments of our lives. Dispose 
us always to reflect upon them with pious gratitude ; 
and to express it not by our lips only, but by cheer- 
fully complying with Thy whole will, and devoting 
our lives to the obedience of Thy commandments. 

But have we, gracious Father, maintained hitherto, 
a due sense of Thy numberless favours, or a becoming 
regard to our manifold obligations ? Have we not 
shamefully transgressed Thy laws ; behaved in a man- 
ner unworthy of our reasonable natures; neglected 
the culture and improvement of our souls, and 
covered ourselves with guilt and iniquity? We 
lament before Thee the perverseness of our wills, the 
treachery of our hearts, the inconstancy of our good 
affections, our proneness to corrupt inclinations and 



( 73 ) 



sinful desires, and our reluctance to the practice of 
what is excellent and good. We have sinned, O Fa- 
ther, in Thy sight, and are not worthy to be called 
Thy children. But Thou, O Lord, waitest to be 
gracious, and art ready to receive Thy penitent off- 
spring, upon the terms proposed in the gospel. For 
Thy goodness' sake in Christ Jesus, be merciful to our 
unrighteousness, blot out our iniquities, and reconcile 
us to Thyself, rebellious children as we have been to 
a gracious and merciful Father. Deliver us from the 
power and dominion of sin; renew us in the temper of 
our minds, and cleanse our hearts from all base pas- 
sions and hurtful desires. Grant that our tempers 
and lives may become more suitable to the glorious 
privileges and exalted hopes which we derive from 
the gospel ; that we may walk worthy of our high and 
honourable calling, and adorn the doctrine of God our 
Saviour in all things. Teach us to love and imitate 
that pattern of all excellence, which is exhibited in the 
character of Christ His well beloved son ; to resemble 
him in his piety and devotion, in his extensive charity 
and generous benevolence, in his patience, meekness, 
and cheerful resignation to Thy sovereign will; to 
cherish in our souls all those divine and lovely quali- 
ties, which shone so eminently in his perfect character; 
to govern our lives uniformly by the precepts of the 
gospel ; and to admit the proper influence of its pro- 
mises and awful warnings on our tempers and conduct. 
While we continue in this uncertain world, we 



( 7* ) 



would desire to refer ourselves entirely to thy all-wise 
disposal. Lead us whithersoever Thou wilt, deal 
with us as Thou pleasest; give us poverty or riches, 
prosperity or adversity, as shall seem best to Thine in- 
finite wisdom and goodness; bless us only with peace 
and content of mind, and with wisdom to adorn every 
state and circumstance of life, by a pious and becom- 
ing behaviour. 

But as we are creatures designed for an everlasting 
life, may we not confine our views within the limits of 
this world ; but be chiefly solicitous to provide for that 
part of our existence, which reaches beyond the grave. 
May a sense of the shortness and uncertainty of life 
engage us to make the best use of our present mo- 
ments; and may the prospect of endless life and hap- 
piness hereafter exalt our minds above all sordid and 
low desires, strengthen us in the pursuit of every thing 
truly good, and secure us from the influence of all 
temptations to evil. May we be constant, unmovea- 
ble, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; for 
as much as we know that our labour is not in vain in 
the Lord : And finally, may we obtain the end of our 
faith and hope, even the salvation of our souls. 

Our Father, fyc. 



( 75 ) 



XIL 

YE THAT FEAR THE LORD, PRAISE HIM : LET YOUR 
PRAISE BE OF HIM IN THE ASSEMBLY OF HIS 
saints; AND PAY YOUR VOWS IN THE PRESENCE 
OF THEM THAT FEAR HIM. 

O Almighty and most merciful Father ! Thou 
art God, and there is none else; a Being possessed 
of every perfection in the highest possible degree : 
whose nature is eternal, whose presence is unbounded, 
whose power is infinite, whose knowledge is universal, 
whose goodness endureth for ever and extendeth every 
where. From Thee we derive our being, and on Thee 
we constantly depend. To Thee we are indebted for 
our present enjoyment, and for all our hopes of future 
happiness. We esteem it our highest honour and 
privilege to worship Thee, and would address Thee at 
this time with reverence and godly fear. And O 
Thou Father of lights, be pleased to open our minds, 
and enrich our souls with wisdom. Dispose us to 
receive the truth in the love of it ; may it enter our 
minds with deep impression, may it overcome our 
prejudices, dispel the clouds of ignorance and error, 
and become at once the delight of our hearts, and the 
guide of our conduct. 

While we contemplate Thy glorious and amiable 
perfections, may the image of them be formed in our 

H 2 



( 76 ) 



own minds ; may our souls improve in holy affections, 
in admiration and love, in joy and hope, in trust and 
dependence; and may we esteem it the truest and best 
worship to become more like the Being whom we 
adore. 

May we read and hear Thy word with that serious 
attention and reverence, which its importance and 
divine character so justly demand- 
May we sing Thy praises, and pour out our thanks- 
givings, with pious cheerfulness and grateful affection. 

And when we offer up our further supplications, 
may we address Thee with honest purposes and holy 
desires: may we pray in faith, nothing doubting, but 
exercising a firm confidence in Thy goodness, and 
resting with entire dependence on the promises of 
Thy word. Teach us to distinguish between good 
and evil, and to desire those things only, which will 
conduce to our true interest : and whatever we may 
ask, may it always be with this exception — if it be 
consistent with the wise and good order of Thy provi- 
dence, and agreeable to Thy holy will. 

Guide us by the councils of Thy spirit and word 
through what remains of this mortal life; teach us 
daily to advance in wisdom, piety, and goodness, and 
to prepare for the delights and exercises of the heavenly 
world ; and at length receive us to Thyself in glory 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



( 77 ) 



Lesson from the Old Testament. 

O God, the first, supreme, and best of Beings : we 
would present ourselves before Thee as the creatures 
of Thy power, the subjects of Thy government, and 
the disciples of Thy Son Christ Jesus, acknowledging 
Thy greatness as the Sovereign of nature, who rulest 
all things with the highest perfection of power, wis- 
dom, and goodness. By Thy word were the heavens 
made, and all the host of them by the breath of Thy 
mouth : the earth also is Thy workmanship, and all 
that dwell therein. And O how beautiful are all Thy 
works; how gracious Thy divine administration! 
How plentifully dost Thou provide for all Thy crea- 
tures: they are hungry, and Thou feedest them; 
they wait upon Thee, Thou satisfiest their desires; 
Thou openest wide Thy bountiful hand, and liberally 
suppliest Thy whole creation with good. 

Among the rest, O Lord, what reason have we to 
speak well of Thy ways, and to offer our tribute of 
praise and thanksgiving ! For Thou hast raised us 
high in the order of beings, and bestowed upon 
us honourable distinctions : Thou hast created us in 
Thine own image, and rendered us capable of knowing 
something of our frame, our duty, and our expecta- 
tions. And when mankind were deaf to the voice of 
reason and conscience, and had defaced the glorious 
image of their Maker, Thou wast pleased mercifully 
to send Thy well beloved Son, to enlighten, reform, 

H 3 



( 78 ) 

and save them : and through him didst reveal Thy 
nature and perfections as most amiable and lovely, 
Thy providence and moral government as most pleas- 
ing and satisfactory, Thy gracious offers of pardon 
to the penitent as most consolatory to guilty creatures, 
and the glorious gospel of life and immortality brought 
to clear and certain light as affording the best encou- 
ragement to a patient continuance in well-doing. 

O Lord, we lament the unworthy returns we have 
made for all this goodness and mercy. We look back 
with shame and regret on the many instances of our 
ingratitude and folly ; that our hearts have not been 
duly influenced by the principles of piety and virtue, 
but have been debased by sinful inclinations, and 
drawn aside by corrupt affections and passions: 
that we have often neglected that homage and obedi- 
ence which our dependent relation to Thee as our 
Creator so plainly intimate to be Thy due : that we 
have slighted the awful threatenings of the gospel, nor 
suffered its gracious promises effectually to excite us to 
a life of righteousness. 

Pardon our many transgressions, we beseech Thee, 
and restore us to duty and better obedience. Recon- 
cile us to Thyself, according to the riches of Thy 
grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Suffer us not, from any foolish and unreasonable hopes 
of pardon, to continue in a course of disobedience; 
but convinced from the holiness of Thy nature and 
the declarations of the gospel, that its mercies will be 



( 79 ) 



extended to none but those who repent and forsake 
their sins, may we cease to do evil, learn to do well, 
and break off all communion with the unprofitable 
works of darkness. 

Enable us to lay the restraints of temperance and 
moderation upon all our appetites and passions, and 
remove the evil effects which past indulgence may 
have had upon our minds, that neither our under- 
standings nor our wills may be perverted by them. 
May we no more put darkness for light, or light for 
darkness, but follow those things only which are ex- 
cellent and praiseworthy; and maintain a constant 
regard for the dictates of conscience, and the laws of 
our divine religion. 

Teach us wherein our true happiness consists, and 
and shew us the right means of obtaining it ; suffer 
us not to be mis-led by false opinions of good and evil, 
but enable us to distinguish our true and proper good, 
from that which is false and deceitful. Preserve us 
from forfeiting the eternal blessings of a future world, 
for the sake of any present sensation of transient joy. 
Convince us that our highest happiness consists in 
freedom from evil passions, in the cultivation of ge- 
nerous and humane affections, and in the exercise of 
becoming affections towards Thee our God, and to- 
wards our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach us to esteem 
these things as the object of our strongest affection 
and most earnest pursuit ; and through Thy blessing 
on our sincere and hearty endeavours, may we obtain 



( 80 ) 



the happiness we aspire after. And O do Thou, 
the Father of our spirits, grant us Thy gracious 
assistance and direction, to enlighten our understand- 
ings, to correct our wills, and to suppress all our irre- 
gular propensities, that they may never disturb or 
hinder our progress in the path of christian duty. 

Enlarge, we pray Thee, our knowledge of divine 
things: and give us clearer and more exalted views 
of Thy glorious perfections. May a deep sense 
of Thy perfect goodness and impartial justice in- 
spire us with that love which shall manifest itself in 
a becoming imitation. May a regard to Thy su- 
preme authority, and a strong conviction of Thy 
continual presence, habitually possess our minds, and 
influence all our conduct. And may this considera- 
tion, that nothing can be hid from Thy notice, en- 
gage us to purify our souls from all mean thoughts 
and evil desires, and prevent us from yielding to the 
strongest temptations to transgress any of Thy com- 
mandments. 

Adorn our minds, we beseech Thee, with every 
amiable and virtuous disposition, and enable us to dis- 
charge the various duties incumbent upon us, accord- 
ing to our several relations; receiving favours with 
gratitude, and injuries with meekness and forbear- 
ance; behaving with respect to our superiors, with 
friendly regard to our equals, with kindness to our 
inferiors, and with gentleness and goodwill to alL 
May we be honest and just in our dealings, true to 



( 81 ) 



our promises, sincere in our professions, faithful to 
our engagements, and careful to answer the reasona- 
ble expectations as well as just demands of all men. 

Withdraw our affections, we entreat Thee, from 
the fleeting and deceitful pleasures of this present 
world, and dispose us to desire and pursue that real 
goodness and worth, which can never be deprived of 
the happiness which arises from Thy favour. 

We humbly beseech Thee never to leave us to our- 
selves. Be always present with us to guard us from 
evil, to direct us in every important concern, and to 
strengthen us under every trial with which it may 
please Thee to exercise us in this eventful world. 
We know not the scenes which lie before us, or the 
changes we may have to undergo; but of this we are 
assured, that Thou art ever wise and just and good ; 
we would therefore desire to unite our wills with Thine, 
and cheerfully to embrace whatever may befal us in 
the course of Thy providence. We would not, there- 
fore, presume to pray for any particular circumstances 
in this life ; but, referring ourselves entirely to Thy 
all-wise disposal, we would pray to be enabled at all 
times, to act with propriety the part that is appointed 
us, and to adorn every condition by a suitable beha- 
viour. If Thou shouldst place us in prosperous cir- 
cumstances, may we never forget ourselves, or the 
uncertainty of all human things; may we not become 
haughty and proud, or insolent and oppressive ; may 
we not be unmindful of our dependence upon Thee, 



( 82 ) 



and our great obligations to Thee; may we receive 
our abundance with thankfulness, enjoy it with in- 
nocence, and use it with liberality. If it please Thee 
to bring us into affliction and distress^ may we cheer- 
fully submit to Thy providence, and never be pre- 
vailed upon, by any worldly considerations, to re- 
nounce our integrity. Instead of increasing our 
sufferings by imprudence or fretfulness, may patience 
and discretion, under the influence of piety, soften 
their severity, and convert them into the means of 
improvement in all virtue. 

Prepare us, we beseech Thee, for the hour of death ; 
and when the powers of nature fail us, be Thou our 
support : may we view with serenity and good hope 
the awful prospect of eternity ; and when we are called 
to appear at Thy tribunal, to be judged according to 
the gospel of Thy well beloved Son, may we be ap- 
proved by Thee, the All-seeing Judge, and be ad- 
mitted into the mansions of everlasting glory, prepared 
for all his faithful followers by our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
in whose words we conclude our imperfect supplies* 
tions. 

Our Father, 8cc. Amen. 



( 83 j 



XIII. 

O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD ; FOR HE IS GOOD ; 
FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER, 

O God, before whose throne multitudes of saints 
and angels continually cry aloud, saying, Holy, holy, 
holy Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art 
to come; Thou art worthy to receive glory and 
honour and praise, for Thou hast created all things, 
and at Thy pleasure they are and were created. Thou 
art very great, and there is none that is like unto 
Thee; Thou hast established Thy throne in the hea- 
vens, and Thy kingdom ruleth over all; be Thou 
exalted, O God, above the highest heavens, and 
praised be Thy glorious name, for Thou art great 
and doest wonderous things, Thou art God alone. 
Of old hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth, and 
the heavens are the work of Thy hands ; these shall 
perish, but Thou shalt endure ; yea, they all of them 
shall wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture 
shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed; 
but Thou art the same evermore, and of Thy years 
there is no end ! Yet, though Thine excellence is 
eternal, and Thy power infinite ; though Thou art 
unerring in wisdom, and adorable in majesty beyond 
our most exalted conceptions; these glories of Thy 
nature do not surpass Thine unlimited and perfect 



( 84 ) 



goodness. To this we owe every enjoyment of our 
lives, not only all our present pleasures, but also all 
our future hopes. To this we are indebted for those 
noble distinctions, which The a has placed between us 
and the beasts which perish ; whereby we are made 
capable of knowing Thee, of understanding Thy 
works and Thy will, and of conforming our lives to 
the precepts which Thou hast given us ; whereby we 
are enabled to enjoy the pleasures of friendship and 
society, and to taste the delights which flow from be- 
nevolent actions; whereby we learn the benefit of 
temperance and sobriety, and of a moderate enjoy- 
ment of the good things of life. But to this, above 
all, we are indebted for those gracious revelations 
which Thou hast from time to time vouchsafed to 
communicate, by which Thou hast instructed us in 
the knowledge of Thy glorious perfections, and in the 
several duties which Thou requirest of us. For these 
instructions we bless and praise Thee, and desire to 
make the proper use of them ; more especially we 
would praise Thee, with our whole hearts, that after 
Thou hadst at sundry times and in divers manners 
spoken to the fathers by righteous men and prophets, 
Thou hast, in these latter days, spoken unto us by 
Thy Son and our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ; 
whom Thou hast constituted the head over all things 
to his Church, and commanded that every reasonable 
creature, to whom his gospel may be proposed, 
should observe his precepts and follow his steps. 



m 

m 



( 85 ) 



How great is Thy goodness to the children of 
men, in thus sending him into the world upon the 
gracious errand of peace on earth and good-will to- 
wards men, in thus enabling him to teach the purest 
precepts of virtue and religion, and empowering him 
to promise the rewards of everlasting life and happi- 
ness to all his faithful followers ; and by these promises 
to lead the whole race of mankind into the love and 
practice of universal righteousness ! How amiable 
was his example, who spake as never man spake, who 
did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; who 
went about continually doing good, and when put to 
death by wicked and ungrateful men, shewed forth to 
the world a perfect example of meekness and forbear- 
ance. Blessed be Thy name who hast enabled him, 
for the wisest and most gracious purposes, by Thy 
good spirit dwelling within him, to support this excel- 
lent character unto the end ; to abstain when reviled 
from reviling again, to cease, when persecuted, from 
threatening or repining, but rather to pray for his 
murderers on the Cross; Father, forgive them, for 
they know not what they do ! 

How glorious was Thy mighty power, when it 
broke the bands of death and of the grave, and raised 
up this Thy well beloved Son to be a prince and a Sa- 
viour; a pledge for the future accomplishment of his 
promises, and an earnest and example of that glorious 
resurrection which Thou hadst commissioned him to 
declare unto men. Blessed be God, who by his Son 

i 



( 86 ) 



Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and brought life 
and immortality to light by his gospel. Blessed be 
God, who hath thus destroyed the power and fear of 
death, by making it the passage to a more glorious 
and happy state hereafter, ~even to a place among 
those many mansions which are in his Temple which 
is above, which Christ is gone before us to prepare 
for all his faithful followers. 

O may we not receive all this grace and good- 
ness in vain; but may it be our constant study to 
act as becometh the disciples of so excellent a mas- 
ter, and the children of so gracious and kind a Father, 
even the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
May we ever esteem it our glory to be called Chris- 
tians, and may we be careful not to disgrace so hon-* 
ourable a profession. May we avail ourselves of the 
advantages which, as Christians, we possess, and 
study to recommend our religion to others, by bearing 
open testimony to its truth, and by professing it in its 
greatest purity, so far as we can discover it. And as 
the greatest and most dangerous corruption of the 
gospel, has been the disobedience of its righteous 
precepts, may it be our constant care and study to 
keep Thy commandments in all things, to pay a due 
regard to the excellent example of Christ, and to be 
properly influenced by the animating motives which 
he hath set before us. 

We acknowledge that hitherto we have not im- 
proved our advantages as we ought to have done; 



( 87 ) 



we have too often broken through the obligations 
which we were under as rational creatures, as subjects 
of Thy moral government, and as disciples of , our 
Lord Jesus Christ, to practise all righteousness with 
our whole hearts. Many times have we been led 
astray by divers temptations, by the evil inclinations 
and desires of our own corrupt hearts, by the snares of 
the wicked, and by the influence of evil examples. We 
have done those things which we ought not to have 
done, and we have left undone those things which we 
ought to have done. We have sinned and offended 
Thee, O God, and we find from experience that it 
profiteth us not. 

O God, who delightest in mercy, we appear before 
Thee as erring and guilty creatures, to supplicate 
Thy gracious forgiveness of all our past sins, and to 
implore Thine assistance and favour, that hereafter 
we may better obey Thy righteous commandments. 

We desire to draw near unto Thee as the disciples 
of Christ, and to unite our fervent petitions before 
Thee, that Thou wilt not be strict to mark, or severe 
to punish our offences, since in Thy sight then could 
no man living be justified. Enable us to collect from 
Thy works and Thy word, just notions of our rela- 
tion to Thee our God, and to all our fellow-creatures 
around us. Dispose us never to neglect any more 
the offering of prayer and praise unto Thee, the al- 
mighty and unchangeable Being ; teach us to cherish 

i 2 



( 88 ) 



in our minds sentiments of most cheerful confidence 
in all Thy dispensations, which are always merciful, 
wise, and just ; instruct us in the whole of our beha- 
viour to our fellow-creatures, and dispose to promote 
in our several stations, the general advantage of the 
whole human race, and more especially the good of 
those with whom we are more intimately connected. 
Teach us to correct all evil inclinations and propen- 
sities, and to purify our private characters from every 
deformity and blemish. May we study to be virtuous 
not in name and word only, but in deed and in truth ; 
to cleanse ourselves from every secret wickedness, 
from every evil thought and word and action, and 
thus to become perfect in every good work. May we 
be led to this wise and happy conduct by the best and 
purest motives; by a principle of love and duty to 
Thee, who hast been so kind and gracious to us, 
by a sense of Thy constant presence with us, and in- 
timate knowledge of all our thoughts, words, and 
actions; and by a perfect conviction, that religion and 
virtue are agreeable to the original uncorrupted na- 
ture of man, and will effectually secure our highest 
happiness both here and hereafter. 

We beg Thy blessing upon the religious services 
in which we are now engaged ; may every opportu- 
nity with which we may be favoured of worshipping 
Thee, or of meditating on Thy word contribute to 
our more perfect establishment in some good senti- 



( 89 ) 



ment, principle, or practice, and thus conduce to our 
more complete preparation for the services and enjoy- 
ments of a future glorious world. 

These are our petitions we offer up unto Thee, in 
the name and as the disciples of Jesus Christ our 
Lord, &c. 



( 90") 



XIV. 

[From the Collects of the Church.] 

LET THY MERCIFUL EARS BE OPEN UNTO OUR PRAYERS; 
AND THAT WE MAY OBTAIN OUR PETITIONS, MAKE 
US TO ASK FOR SUCH THINGS AS WILL PLEASE 
THEE, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. 

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the un- 
ruly wills and affections of sinful men, grant unto Thy 
people at all times, but especially when they join to 
offer their petitions unto Thee, that they may love 
those things which Thou commandest, desire those 
things which Thou approvest, and hope for those things 
which Thou prornisest ; that so among the manifold 
changes of this mortal life, our hearts may surely 
there be fixed, where alone true joys are to be found, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Do Thou from whom all good things do come, 
teach us Thy humble servants to think only those 
things that are good, and by Thy merciful guidance 
to perform the same : being doers of the word, and 
not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. 

As Thou the Almighty and Everlasting Father, 
hast given unto us Thy servants to know Thee the 
Only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast 
sent, we beseech Thee keep us steadfast in this faith. 



( 91 ) 



and evermore defend it from all adversaries ; who livest 
and reignest One God, world without end. 

And O Thou, merciful and gracious God, who 
hatest nothing which Thou hast made, and hast sent 
Thy well beloved Son to declare the forgiveness of 
their sins to the penitent, create in us new and con- 
trite hearts, that we, sincerely lamenting our sins and 
acknowledging our unworthiness, may obtain of Thee, 
the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgive- 
ness through Jesus Christ. As he came to die for 
our sins, and rise again for our justification, do Thou 
mortify and kill all vice within us ; grant us so to put 
away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may 
be effectually delivered from those sins which by our 
frailty we have committed ; and so strengthen us by 
Thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and 
the constancy of our faith, we may henceforth serve 
Thee in pureness of living and in truth, and glorify 
Thy holy name even unto death. As Thou hast 
given Thy beloved Son to be also unto us the example 
of a godly life, give us grace that we may always most 
thankfully receive this his inestimable benefit, and 
also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his 
most holy life. 

Almighty God, who shewedst to them that were in 
error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they 
might return into the way of righteousness, grant 
unto all those, who are admitted into the fellowship 



( 92 ) 



of Christ's religion, that they may avoid those things 
which are contrary to their profession, and follow 
such things as are agreeable to the same, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant, O Lord, that all 
those who are baptized into the death of Thy blessed 
Son our Saviour, by the continual mortifying of 
their corrupt affections may be so buried with him 
and dead unto all sin, that through the grave and 
gate of death they may pass to a joyful resurrection, 
and may live together with him who died, and was 
buried, and rose again, and is gone to prepare a place 
for all his faithful followers ; that where he is, they 
may be also. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of Thy tender 
love towards all mankind, hast sent Thy Son Jesus 
Christ to partake of our flesh and to suffer death upon 
the cross, that all mankind might follow the example 
of his great humility and patience, mercifully grant 
that we may both follow his example, and also be 
made partakers of his resurrection ; that in all our 
sufferings here upon earth we may steadfastly look up 
to him, and by faith behold the glory that shall be 
revealed: that we may cast away the works of dark- 
ness, and put on the armour of light, now in the time 
of this mortal life, in imitation of him in the days of 
his humility ; so that in the last day, when he shall 
come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living 
and the dead, by the mighty power which he hath 



( 93 ) 



received from Thee, we may be welcomed as the 
blessed children of Thee our Father, who livest and 
reign est ever one God for ever and ever. 

And grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty Father, 
that as we believe our Lord Jesus Christ to have 
ascended into the heavens, so we also may in heart 
and mind ascend with him thither, and so live as not 
of this world, that we may at length be raised conti- 
nually to dwell with him in his Father's house. And 
as when Thou didst exalt this Thy beloved Son with 
great triumph unto his kingdom, Thou didst not 
leave his servants comfortless, but sentest Thine 
Holy Spirit to lead them into all Truth, grant us by 
the same spirit to have a right judgment in all things, 
and evermore to rejoice in the comfort of Thy word, 
and finally be exalted unto the same place whither 
our Saviour Christ is gone before, to prepare a place 
for all his faithful followers. 

And since Thy blessed Son was manifested that he 
might destroy the works of darkness, and make us sons 
of God and heirs of eternal life ; grant unto us, we 
beseech Thee, that, having this hope, we may purify 
ourselves even as he is pure, that when he shall 
appear again with power and great glory, we may 
be made like unto him in his eternal kingdom. 

O God, who hast prepared for them that love 
Thee such good things as surpass understanding, 
pour into our hearts such love towards Thee, that 
we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy 



( 94 ) 



promises, which exceed all that we can desire or con*- 
ceive. 

O Lord of all power and might, who art the Author 
and giver of all good, graft in our hearts the love of 
Thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us 
with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us 
in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings 
without charity are nothing worth, pour into our 
hearts that most excellent gift, which is the bond of 
peace and of all virtues; without which whosoever 
liveth is counted dead before Thee: Grant this 
through the influence of the gospel of Thy blessed 
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord ; who being himself the 
chief corner stone, do Thou who art the chief builder 
grant, that on this foundation we may be so joined 
together in unity of spirit, that we may be made a holy 
temple unto Thee the Father of all : giving ourselves 
up immediately and entirely to obey Thy holy com- 
mandments; forsaking all worldly and carnal affec- 
tions; all covetous desires, and inordinate love of 
riches ; resolving constantly to speak the truth ; pa- 
tiently suffering for the truth's sake ; and following 
the call of our Lord Jesus Christ, And may it please 
Thee that, by the wholesome medicine of the doctrine 
of the gospel, all the diseases of our souls may be 
healed, and we may become in all things conformable 
to the example of Christ. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always 



( 95 ) 



more ready to hear than we are to pray, and art w ont 
to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour 
upon us the abundance of Thy mercy; forgive us 
those things whereof our conscience is afraid ; and 
give us those things which we are not worthy to ask, 
but as we are encouraged by the mediation of Thy 
well beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord ; in whose 
comprehensive form of words we would sum up our 
imperfect requests, saying, as he taught his disciples ? 
Our Father, fyc. 



( 96 ) 



XV. 

O ALL YE WORKS OF THE LORD, BLESS THE NAME OF 
THE LORD : PRAISE AND MAGNIFY HIS NAME TO- 
GETHER. 

O God, the giver of all good, who delightest in the 
happiness of all Thy creatures, and art imparting 
unto them continually of the riches of Thy bounty; 
we desire to come before Thee with our grateful 
thanks for all the instances of Thy goodness towards 
ourselves. Thou art the former of our bodies, and 
the father of our spirits : Thou hast taken a wise and 
gracious care of us ever since we came into the world, 
and Thy loving kindness hath ever attended us. All 
our wants are supplied by Thee ; from Thee all our 
enjoyments proceed; and Thou crownest our days 
with Thy goodness. Thou providest for the support 
of our bodies, which are Thy workmanship ; and un- 
der Thy direction all the measures of Thy wisdom 
administer to our necessities. We bless Thee, who 
givest us food convenient for us, and appointest re- 
freshment and repose for our wearied powers. To 
Thy kind and merciful providence we owe the rai- 
ment with which we are clothed, the habitations in 
which we dwell, and all the fruits of our industry and 
labour. We thank Thee more especially for reason 
and under standin «*, and for all the treasures of 



\ 



knowledge which Thou hast opened to our view. 
We bless Thee for the virtuous capacities with which 
Thou hast adorned our minds ; and for all the oppor- 
tunities with which we are favoured for the knowledge 
and practice of our duty, and the attainment of our 
highest happiness. We thank Thee that we are 
placed in a social state, and endowed with social 
affections ; and that we enjoy such a variety of plea- 
sures from the esteem and friendship of our fellow-men. 
To Thy goodness we ascribe the various happiness 
which we receive from the discharge of duty, and 
from the exercise of the good principles with which 
Thou hast graciously endowed our minds. Thou 
hast mercifully appointed, also, a variety of trials, for 
the improvement and perfection of our natures ; and 
Thou givest us the prospect of a more perfect and 
happy state hereafter. 

From Thee, O God, our enjoyments proceed ; and to 
Thee we present our united thanks, with joyful and 
grateful hearts. 

We thank Thee above all things, merciful Father, 
for the rich display of Thy goodness by Christ Jesus. 
We bless Thy name that Thou hast made such pro- 
vision by him for our improvement in the best things. 
We acknowledge with the highest gratitude the excel- 
lent doctrine and perfect example of our blessed Lord 
and Master: by whom Thou hast given us Thy 
heavenly truth, to enlighten our minds, to sanctify 
our hearts, and to guide our feet in the way of peace : 



( 98 ) 



In whose conduct and character Thou hast afforded 
us a pattern of the most exalted goodness, to excite 
our zeal, to animate our endeavours, and to encourage 
us to press forward continually towards perfection ; by 
whom Thou hast inspired us with the hope of Thy 
mercy to sinners, of Thy forgiveness to the sincerely 
penitent, of Thy gracious aid to confirm and give suc- 
cess to our humble purposes of amendment, and, above 
all, of the final accomplishment of Thy promise by 
him of eternal life and happiness. For Thou hast 
raised him to be a Prince and a Saviour, and given 
him to be the author of eternal salvation to all them 
that obey him. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in 
hemenly things through Christ Jesus ! 

O Lord, O Lord God, merciful and gracious, slow 
to anger, and plenteous in mercy, forgiving iniquity, 
transgression, and sin ; if we say that we have no sin, 
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us : we 
desire to confess and forsake our sins, believing that 
Thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We confess that 
we have often sinned, in thought, word, and deed, 
against Thy divine majesty ; we have despised Thine 
authority and abused Thy goodness : we have neglected 
the duties of piety to Thee our righteous Governor 
and gracious Benefactor ; we have been deficient in 
the exercise of kindness towards our brethren, and 



( 99 ) 



have indulged too much our appetites and passions. 
Thus have we forfeited Thy goodness towards us, we 
have exposed ourselves to Thy just displeasure, and 
our only hope is in Thy mercy. Forgive us, merciful 
Father, we entreat Thee ; vouchsafe unto us that good- 
ness on which Thou encouragest us to hope, and make 
us partakers of that mercy which Thou hast manifested 
by Christ Jesus. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, from 
the guilt of our sins, and us raise above their power ; 
renew us in the spirit of our minds that we may truly 
repent of them, and bring forth the worthy fruits of 
repentance in the future obedience of our lives. De- 
liver us also from the evil consequences of our trans- 
gressions, and establish our minds in the sense of Thy 
forgiveness, and in the hope of Thy future favour, 
according to the promises of Thy mercy and grace in 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

O God, the author of all grace, and the fountain 
of all good, assist us to mortify every evil inclination, 
to rectify every imperfect affection, and to render 
ourselves complete in well-doing. Let our under- 
standings be freed from every false opinion, and our 
hearts from all corrupt and perverse dispositions ; 
and dispose us to proceed in the way of Thy com- 
mandments, till we attain at length to that advance- 
ment in virtue and true goodness, which may render 
us meet for Thy heavenly kingdom. 

Adorn our minds with those dispositions, which 
may prepare us for all the duties of life : may we be 

k 2 



( ioo ) 

meek and humble, contented with our condition, and 
ready to acquiesce under all Thy appointments: may 
we love Thee entirely as our chief good, study to serve 
our fellow- creatures with a sincere affection, and keep 
our hearts with such true diligence, that the best dis- 
positions may always maintain the greatest influence 
over us. 

O God, the fountain of all knowledge, give us a 
right understanding of Thyself. By the frequent 
joyful contemplation of Thy goodness may we im- 
prove in the love of goodness, and prepare ourselves 
by the practice of all good works, for an admission 
into that kingdom of righteousness, which Thou hast 
provided by Thy well-beloved Son, for all those who 
love Thee and keep Thy commandments. 

Let the truths which Thou hast revealed in the 
gospel be the means of enriching our minds with the 
best knowledge, and of producing in us a divine 
nature : and let a constant attention to the instructions 
and example of Christ make us free from all sensual 
affections and desires, and advance us, under his 
direction, in the practice of all divine and social vir- 
tues. Retaining a constant persuasion of Thy good- 
ness^ may our confidence in Thy mercy manifested 
by him awaken our aversion to sin, and ou** love to 
holiness and virtue, and move us constantly to seek 
what Thou approvest, and wilt finally reward and 
honour. 

With Thee, our heavenly Father, would we leave 



( ioi ) 



all external things. Safe under Thy protection, and 
happy in Thy favour and friendship, we would cheer- 
fully follow whither Thou shalt be pleased to direct 
us. Teach us to desire only that portion of earthly 
good which Thou seest to be best for us, and to de- 
cline no sufferings which Thou shalt appoint for the 
trial and improvement of our virtue. Save us, we 
beseech Thee, from the snares of prosperity and of 
adversity ; suffer us not to forget Thee in our abun- 
dance, or to question Thy goodness in our distress : 
in health and in sickness, in life and in death, may we 
lift up our souls unto Thee, and make Thy goodness 
alone our confidence and joy ; and may we so pass 
through the changing scenes of this present world, that 
we may be prepared for perfect and durable happiness 
with Thee hereafter. 

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we 
humbly offer these our prayers in his name and as his 
disciples : we rejoice that Thou hast raised him above 
men and angels, that Thou hast given him a name 
which is above every name, and a kingdom which is 
above every kingdom ; and that Thou art graciously 
disposed to bestow by him immortal life and happi- 
ness on all his faithful followers. By his instructions 
and example we desire to govern our lives; and in 
his name and words we would further pray unto Thee, 
saying, as he taught his disciples, 

Our Father, fyc. 

k 3 



( 102 ) 



XVL 

HEAR, O YE PEOPLE; GIVE EAR, YE INHABITANTS OF 
THE EARTH : FOR THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT 
REIGNETH ! SING UNTO THE LORD, GIVE THANKS 
UNTO HIS NAME; GIVE THANKS AT THE REMEM- 
BRANCE OF HIS GREATNESS. TRUST IN HIM AT 
ALL TIMES; POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS BEFORE 
HIM ; FOR HE IS A REFUGE FOR US. HE KNOW- 
ETH THE THOUGHTS OF EVERY MAN'S HEART, AND 
WILL GIVE UNTO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS 
WORKS. OFFER THEREFORE UNTO HIM THE SACRI- 
FICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND COME UNTO HIS 
ALTARS WITH HANDS WASHED IN INNOCENCY. 

O Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, before 
whom all creatures bow, and to whom all hearts are 
open ; we acknowledge ourselves unworthy to be ad- 
mitted into Thy presence, or to join in the solemni- 
ties of Thy worship; we would, therefore, prostrate 
ourselves before Thee with the deepest reverence and 
humility ; but yet encouraged by Thy goodness, who 
by Jesus Christ hast invited us to come before Thee 
in the humble confidence that Thou wilt give all 
things which are good for them to those who ask in 
faith. Dispose us to celebrate Thy perfections, and 
speak of Thy works, with reverence and true devo- 
tion; to give thanks unto Thee, and to sing Thy 



( 103 ) 



praises, with gratitude and joy; to confess our sins 
with contrite hearts, and steadfast purposes of amend- 
ment ; and to pray unto Thee for ourselves and others 
unto a just sense of our dependence upon Thy pro- 
vidence, and with fervent charity to all mankind. We 
would keep a watchful guard over ourselves at all 
times, but especially when we are employed in the im- 
portant duties of Thy house; that no vain thoughts 
may distract our minds, no unworthy objects with- 
draw our affections ; but that our whole hearts may 
be engaged in Thy service, and that the influence of 
these our religious services may be abundantly shewn 
forth in the actions of our lives. All which we hum- 
bly ask for in the name and as the disciples of Jesus 
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

Lesson. 

We praise Thee, O God ; we worship Thee, the 
One true and living God, the King of kings and Lord 
of lords, the blessed and the only Potentate, the Crea- 
tor and Preserver of all things ! Thou didst speak, 
and the world was made; Thy providence supporteth 
the works of Thy hands ; and the happiness of Thy 
creatures is the end of all. But before the mountains 
were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the 
earth or the worlds, even from everlasting to everlast- 
ing, Thou art God ! Of old hast Thou laid the foun- 
dation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of 
Thy hands; these shall perish, but Thou shalt 



( 104 ) 



endure ; Thou livest and reignest One God, the same 
yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 

We adore and worship Thee, a pure and spiritual 
Being, whom no man hath seen or can see. Thou 
passest by us on every side, but we behold Thee not ; 
Thou workest wonders on the right hand and on the 
left, but we cannot perceive Thee. 

Whither can we flee from Thy presence? Heaven 
is Thy throne, and the earth Thy footstool ; all things 
are full of Thee. Who can withstand Thy power ? 
Thou doest what Thou pleasest in the armies of hea- 
ven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: none 
can stay Thy hand, or say unto Thee, " What dost 
Thou?' 

Thou hast founded the earth by Thy wisdom, and 
stretched out the heavens by Thine understanding ; 
Thou art wonderful in counsels, and excellent in all 
Thy works ? Thou art the Righteous Lord, who 
executest judgment in the earth : Thou art of purer 
eyes than to behold iniquity ; sinners cannot stand 
before Thee: while the upright in heart are always 
in the light of Thy countenance. 

But Thou art also the Lord God gracious and 
and merciful; the God of love and of all consolation. 
Thou delightest to make Thy creatures happy : Thou 
doest good continually ; and Thy tender mercies are 
are over all Thy works. 

But who, O Lord, can shew forth all Thy praise ? 
We behold the monuments of Thy power, we trace 



( 105 ) 

the footsteps of Thy wisdom, and every moment of our 
lives partakes of the riches of Thy bounty ; but none 
can say how great and wise and good Thou art : none 
can find out Thee, the Almighty, unto perfection. 

O most merciful and gracious God, we confess that 
in many things we have all offended* We have been 
disobedient to Thy authority, and unmindful of Thy 
goodness : we have not behaved as Thy children, and 
as the disciples of Thy Son Christ Jesus. We have 
no merit to plead before Thee ; but all our hope is in 
Thy mercy. In humble dependence on that mercy, 
as manifested by Jesus Christ, we intreat Thee, Fa- 
ther, to forgive our sins, negligences, and follies; 
whatever Thy pure and holy eyes may have seen 
amiss in us. Cleanse us, we beseech Thee, from our 
unrighteousness ; and grant that we may bring forth 
fruits answerable to repentance, by walking before 
Thee in newness of life, to the glory of Thy holy 
name. 

For this end we pray unto Thee, O God, whose 
nature and property it is ever to have mercy and 
to forgive, that a sense of Thy goodness may lead 
us to true repentance, destroy every evil inclination 
and habit, and form our minds to a virtuous and hea- 
venly temper. Inspire us with an abhorrence and 
dread of sin, and teach us hereafter to live a sober, 
righteous, and godly life in this present world, in 
humble expectation of Thy mercy unto eternal life, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, 



( 106 ) 



Do Thou, whom all the host of heaven worship- 
ed) , lead us to entertain a devout sense and holy 
admiration of Thine excellent nature ; to look up unto 
Thee with satisfaction and joy, as the Giver of all 
good ; to delight in Thy service ; to be thankful for 
Thy numberless mercies ; to confide in Thy wise and 
gracious providence ; and to yield an unreserved and 
cheerful obedience to all Thy holy commandments. 

O God, who art love, and who dwellest in love, we 
earnestly desire to imitate Thy constant universal 
goodness ; to behave in our several stations with in- 
tegrity and benevolence, and to shew the true spirit 
of kindness in all the relations of life ; to walk within 
our several houses with a perfect heart ; to be faithful 
and affectionate to our friends, and just and charitable 
to all men : to put on the ornament of a meek and 
quiet spirit ; and be daily improving our minds in all 
good and generous dispositions; till we become meet 
for that world where love and peace and joy shall reign 
for ever more. 

O God of wisdom, teach us the knowledge of our- 
selves. Teach us to keep our hearts with all dili- 
gence, and amidst the trials and changes of this world, 
to maintain a constant habit of self-government. In 
prosperity may we be thankful, humble, and charita- 
ble; in adversity patient, and wholly resigned to Thy 
unerring providence. Save us, gracious God, from 
anger and malice, from pride and presumption, from 
the snares of the wicked, and from the influence of 



( 107 ) 



evil example. Give us prudence to direct our affairs, 
resolution to preserve our innocence, and wisdom and 
constancy to retain our integrity so long as we live. — 
To this end dispose us habitually to keep in mind our 
constant and necessary dependence upon Thee, whose 
never failing providence ordereth all things both in 
heaven and on earth ; and to submit in all things to the 
disposal of Thy wisdom, which cannot err, and to the 
care of Thy goodness, which is unchangeable and 
everlasting. Lead us whithersoever Thou wilt, place 
us in whatever circumstances Thou seest to be most 
proper for us ; and teach us to do Thy whole will 
with fidelity and pleasure, and to bear Thy whole 
will with submission and patience. Defend us, gra- 
cious Father, from every real evil; confer upon us 
every needful good: cause all events to conspire to 
the improvement of our virtue ; conduct us by Thine 
unerring hand through all the changes of this life, and 
filially admit us to the everlasting habitations of the 
just, which Thou hast promised to all Thy faithful 
servants by Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Our Father, fyc* 



( 108 ) 



XVII. 

WHO SHALL ASCEND INTO THE HILL OP THE LORD; 
AND WHO SHALL STAND IN HIS HOLY PLACE ? HE 
THAT HATH CLEAN HANDS, AND A PURE HEART; 
WHO HATH NOT LIFT UP HIS SOUL UNTO VANITY, 
NOR SWORN deceitfully: HE SHALL RECEIVE 
THE BLESSING FROM THE LORD, AND ACCEPTANCE 
FROM THE GOD OF HIS SALVATION. I BESEECH 
YOU, THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES 
OF GOD, THAT YE PROVE YOURSELVES A LIVING 
SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD. 

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, who art, 
who wast, and who art to come ! Thine, O Lord, 
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, and the 
victory, and the majesty : for all things in heaven and 
on earth are Thine : Thine is the kingdom, and Thou 
art to be worshipped as Lord over all. Dispose us 
to come before Thee with pure hearts, in full assu- 
rance of faith ; believing that Thou art, and that 
Thou art the bountiful Rewarder of all such as dili- 
gently seek Thee : to wash our hands in innocency, 
that so we may compass Thine altars, O Lord : to 
sing Thy praises with understanding : to worship 
Thee, who art a spirit, in spirit and in truth : and 
when we confess our sins before Thee, do Thou hear 
in heaven, Thy dwelling-place, and when Thou 



( 109 ) 

Nearest, forgive — Let our prayer come before Thee as 
incense, arid the lif ting-up of our hearts as an accep- 
table sacrifice. 

It becometh us to extol Thee, O God most high, 
and to bless Thy name for ever and ever. For Thy 
hands have made and fashioned us; Thou didst 
breathe into us the breath of life, and thine inspira- 
tion hath given us understanding. In Thee we daily 
live and move and have our being. Surely goodness 
and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives. 
Thou givest us richly all things we enjoy. It becometh 
us, therefore, to praise Thee for Thy goodness, and 
for Thy wonderful works to the children of men. 

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, to Thee we 
offer up our grateful thanks for the unspeakable bless- 
ing of the gospel ; that Thou, who in sundry times 
and in divers measures hadst spoken to the Fathers by 
righteous men and prophets, hast in these latter days 
spoken unto us by Thy Son Jesus Christ; whom 
Thou hast raised up to bless mankind, by turning 
them from their iniquities, and to purify unto himself 
a peculiar people, zealous of good works. We bless 
Thee, that for this end he was born, and for this cause 
he came into the world, that he might bear witness to 
the truth ; and we believe, that he is the Christ, the 
Son of the Living God. We bless Thee, that he 
hath left us an example, that we should follow his 
steps. We thank Thee, that as he was delivered 
for our offences, he was raised for our justification^ 



( no ) 



and became the first fruits of them that sleep. Blessed 
be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
hath begotten us, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 
from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, unde- 
fled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven 
for us. 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 
and the truth is not in us : we desire to confess and 
forsake our sins, and we humbly trust that, if we for- 
sake them, Thou art faithful and just to forgive us 
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
If Thou shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord, who could 
stand ? but there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou 
mayst be feared, and that penitent sinners may hope 
in Thy mercy. Enter not into judgment with us, for 
in Thy sight could no flesh living be justified. Par- 
don the iniquity of Thy servants, according to the 
greatness of Thy mercy. And do Thou, who desirest 
not the death of a sinner, but rather that he turn 
from his wickedness and live, grant not only mercy 
to pardon, but grace to help in future times of need. 
Create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit 
within us. Dispose us to think on our ways, and 
turn our feet unto Thy testimonies : give us that 
godly sorrow, which may work repentance unto sal- 
vation : suffer us not to be led into temptation, or with 
every temptation make a way for our escape; and 
grant that we may finally come off conquerors through 
him that hath loved us. Forgetting the things that 



( 111 ) 



are past, may we look more attentively to those things 
which are to come, and press towards the mark for 
the prize which is proclaimed unto us by Christ Jesus. 
May we be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding 
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that 
our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. 

O Father of lights, from whom cometh every good 
and every perfect gift, open Thou our eyes that we 
may discover the wonderous excellence of Thy law. 
Shew us the way to life eternal, to acknowledge Thee 
the Only True God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou 
hast sent. Strengthen us to grow up in all things 
unto Christ : teach us to learn his doctrine by doing 
his will, and to obtain that true understanding which 
consists in keeping the precepts which Thou hast de- 
livered by him. Let this effectual knowledge of the 
truth make us free from all sin, and at length fill us 
with all the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus 
Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

Enable us at all times to rejoice in Thee the Lord, 
and to joy in the God of our salvation. Dispose us 
to love Thee with all our heart, and to shew the sin- 
cerity of our love by keeping Thy commandments. 
Lead us to be followers of Thee, as dear children, and 
encourage us to strive after perfection, in our measure 
and degree, as Thou our Father in heaven art perfect. 

And, as we are all Thine offspring, dispose us to 
love one another, with a pure heart, fervently; as far 
as we have opportunity do good unto all men ; and 

X. 2 



( 112 ) 



keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace : and 
do Thou, the God of love and peace, be with us, and 
bless us with all joy and peace in believing. 

Graciously incline and strengthen us to keep our 
heart with all diligence, since out of it are the issues 
of life, to order our whole conversation as becometh 
the gospel, and to set our chief affections on things 
which are above. And when Christ, who is our life, 
shall appear, do Thou give unto us also to appear 
with him in glory, and to hear the gracious sentence 
pronounced unto us, Come ye blessed children of my 
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from 
the foundation of the world. These our petitions we 
present unto Thee, in the name and as the disciples 
of Jesus Christ, who hath taught us when we pray to 
say, 

Our Father, 



( 113 ) 



XVIIL 

GOD IS a spirit; and they, who worship him ac- 
ceptably, MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN 
TRUTH : I BESEECH YOU, THEREFORE, BRETHREN, 
BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR- 
SELVES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE 
UNTO GOD; FOR THIS IS YOUR REASONABLE SER- 
VICE. 

Infinitely glorious and ever blessed Lord our God, 
we, Thy unworthy servants, desire at this time to offer 
unto Thee our united thanksgivings for the mercies 
which we have already received, and our earnest sup- 
plications for the continuance of Thy kind and favour- 
able regards, We desire at all times to approach 
Thy throne as the disciples of Jesus Christ, thankful 
for that great goodness which Thou hast manifested 
unto the world in his gospel. Dispose us always to 
remember Thee, our Creator, Preserver, and Benefac- 
tor, with fear, love, and reverence ; and to worship 
Thee, who art a spirit, in spirit and in truth; that our 
religious services may be acceptable to Thee, and 
truly beneficial to ourselves. Prepare our minds for 
a reverent attention to the reading of Thy word, as to 
the dictates of heavenly truth, designed by the gra- 
cious appointment pf Thy wisdom to promote our 
moral and religious improvement, and so to secure 

l 3 



( 1M ) 



our present happiness, and our eternal salvation. In- 
cline us to give thanks for Thy various mercies, with 
gratitude and true devotion ; to sing Thy praises with 
understanding, making melody in our hearts unto the 
Lord ; and to receive what shall be delivered for our 
instruction with attention, candour, and self applica- 
tion. Thus may we become wiser and better by our 
services in these Thy earthly courts, and at length be 
admitted to the more exalted services of Thy temple 
which is above, according to Thy gracious promise to 
all the faithful followers of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Him, though we have not seen, we desire to love, and 
as he hath taught us, we acknowledge Thee to be the 
only true God, to whom be glory for ever and ever, 
Amen. 

Lesson. 

O Father of mercies, and fountain of all good, we 
rejoice that Thy divine perfections are manifested 
unto us in the works of Thy creation : we bless Thee 
for our preservation in life, for all the comforts and 
conveniencies we enjoy, and for every instance of Thy 
goodness and loving kindness to us and to all men. 
Thou didst at first bestow upon us life, and endow 
us with the powers of understanding. By Thy pater- 
nal care our daily wants have been supplied; and 
in Thee we continually live and move and have 
our being. We rejoice that all events are under the 
direction of Thy Providence, so that nothing can 
befal any of us without Thy permission. 



( 115 ) 



We thank Thee for all Thy dispensations, whereby 
Thou hast, from time to time, revealed Thyself to 
mankind ; for all holy men and prophets, whom Thou 
hast raised up in past ages to teach men the know- 
ledge of virtue and religion, and instruct them in the 
worship of Thee, the One Only Living and True 
God. 

We give glory to Thee, O Father of life, that in 
the fullness of time Thou didst graciously send Thy 
Son Jesus Christ, to bring life and immortality to 
light, and to bless mankind by turning them from 
their iniquities. We thank Thee for the proofs which 
he was enabled to give that he was truly sent from 
Thee, by the miracles which he wrought, by the pro- 
phecies which he fulfilled and uttered, by the purity 
of his doctrines, the perfection of his precepts, and the 
excellence of his example. We praise Thee that, 
according to Thy determined counsel and purpose, 
he submitted himself to death ; that by the energy of 
Thy mighty power he was raised up again according 
to the scriptures; and that he thus became the author, 
the pattern, and the pledge, of that glorious resurrec- 
tion which he was thus commissioned to publish, and 
to promise to all his faithful followers. We magnify 
Thee for the many infallible proofs which he gave of 
his resurrection, that we, believing, might have hope 
in his name. And we adore Thee for the animating 
assurance which we thus possess, that as he liveth, we 
shall live also. 



( ne ) 



We thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
earth, that Thou hast directed and authorised us by 
Jesus Christ to address Thee as " Our Father who 
art in heaven." Teach us to manifest our reverence 
for Thy perfections, by endeavouring rightly to know 
Thee, and by maintaining such a sense of Thy conti- 
nual presence with us, under the endearing character 
of our heavenly Father, as may engage us at all times 
to love, to serve, and to obey Thee, as dear children. 

O God, the Father of all the families of the earth, 
we pray that all Thy reasonable creatures may " sanc- 
tify Thy holy name," by acknowledging thy supreme 
authority, and acting as becomes the willing subjects 
of Thy universal government. We pray that the 
power of true religion may be more felt in the hearts, 
and manifested in the lives, of all the children of men ; 
that the gospel of Jesus Christ, in all its purity and 
perfection, may be continually spreading throughout 
the earth ; and that the true knowledge and genuine 
fruits of it may appear more abundantly in those who 
profess it ; that we, and all the disciples- of Christ, 
may become, every day, more humble, sincere, and 
holy ; may love Thee, our God, with our whole hearts, 
and do unto others as we would that they should do 
unto us. And O that, in Thy due time, oppression 
and ignorance, persecution and war, may cease from 
off the earth ; and all the nations be blessed with vir- 
tue and pure religion, and with the peace, good order, 
liberty and happiness, consequent thereupon ! 



( 117 ) 



O righteous Governor of all worlds, let Thy laws, 
which are wise and just and good, be every where duly 
obeyed ! Let the whole human race be led to serve 
Thee with a perfect heart and with a willing mind ; let 
their obedience be like the obedience of the blessed 
spirits above. And, as angels in heaven, who excel in 
strength, do Thy commandments, hearkening to the 
voice of Thy word, so let those, who are entrusted with 
power and dominion upon earth, be ministers of God 
for good unto their people. Let Thy servant George, 
our King, rule over this united kingdom in Thy fear ; 
and deeply sensible of his dependence upon Thee, 
discharge faithfully the important duties of the station 
in which Thy providence hath placed him. Let all 
magistrates, and those in authority, consider them- 
selves as stewards of God, to whom they must one 
day render an account : and let Thy pure and holy 
laws be, therefore, the rule of their lives, and the guide 
of all their consultations. Let all christian ministers, 
of every name and station, sincerely endeavour to un- 
derstand Thy holy word ; let them so explain it to 
others as to bring them to the firm belief and constant 
practice of it ; and manifest the excellence of the gos- 
pel which they profess to preach by their exemplary 
lives, and holy conversation. 

O God, the disposer of all events, we cheerfully 
commit ourselves to Thy wise and gracious direction. 
If it be Thy good pleasure, continue unto us the due 



( 118 ) 



supply of our daily returning wants : but let not us be 
too anxious for the morrow, or fix our hearts upon 
the good things of this world. While we gratefully 
own our dependence upon Thee, we trust to receive 
that portion which Thou knowest to be best for us, 
and pray that we may be enabled, amidst all the 
changes of this life, to maintain such a temper and 
conduct as Thou wilt approve. 

We acknowledge that we have not deserved the 
favours which Thou hast hitherto bestowed : we con- 
fess that we have neglected and abused Thy goodness: 
we lament our past ingratitude and folly : we lament 
every instance in which we have transgressed, in 
thought, in word, or in deed. O do Thou assist 
our sincere desires, and confirm our good resolutions, 
to forsake every evil way ; and then do Thou encou- 
rage us to hope and trust effectually to obtain that 
pardon, which Thou hast promised by Jesus Christ to 
all those who seek it with a truly penitent and con- 
trite heart; and with that forgiving spirit towards 
others, which Thou justly requirest in those who seek 
Thy mercy. 

Suffer us not, we humbly intreat Thee, to be 
tempted beyond what we shall be enabled to resist. 
Permit us not to indulge in any thoughts, desires, or 
communications which may be inconsistent with our 
duty to Thee, to each other, or to ourselves. Deliver 
us, merciful Father, from impiety and profaneness. 



( 119 ) 



from malice and injustice, from vanity and self-indul- 
gence, and from every thing that is contrary to Thy 
holy will. 

We humbly offer these our adorations and requests 
unto Thee, who alone art possessed of those perfec- 
tions, which demand our religious veneration, confi- 
fidence, and love. We intreat Thee to accept our 
praises and supplications ; pardon the imperfection 
of our best services: assist us in the duties which fur- 
ther lie before us ; enlighten our minds that we may 
receive the truth in the love of it, be guided by it 
through our whole lives, and finally attain eternal sal- 
vation, through Thine infinite mercy declared unto 
mankind by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. 
Amen. 



f 

( 120 ) 



XIX. 

OFFICE ON THE DEATH OF THE HEAD 
OF A FAMILY. 

WHEN MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER FORSAKE ME, 
THEN THE LORD WILL TAKE ME UP. 

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all 
generations ! Before the mountains were brought 
forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth or the 
world, even from everlasting, Thou wast God; and 
Thou remainest unchanged in Thy being and perfec- 
tion, amidst all the vicissitudes to which Thy creatures 
are exposed. Thou commandest man to destruction, 
and say est, " Return, ye children of men !" but Thou 
art the living God, steadfast for ever ; Thy kingdom is 
an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion shall have 
no end. From age to age Thou art still the support 
and defence of all those who put their trust in Thee ; 
Thine ears are open to their cry, Thine arm is mighty 
to save, Thy counsel standeth fast, and all Thy works 
are done in truth. We bless Thee, that amidst all 
the changes to which we are subject in this life, we 
can turn our thoughts to thine unchangeable perfec- 
tions, and thence derive peace and rest to our souls. 
We rejoice in the privilege of access to, and commu- 
nion with, Thee, the Father of our spirits : when 



( 121 ) 



Thou makest Thy face to shine upon us, and all 
around us to be glad in Thy love, we will come before 
Thee with the songs of rejoicing and salvation ; in af- 
fliction we will cast our cares upon Thee who carest 
for us, and seek that peace, which the world cannot 
give, from Thee the God of consolation, who givest 
unto all men liberally, and upbraidest not. Thou 
canst cheer the dejected, and calm the troubled mind ; 
Thou woundest, and Thy hands make whole; we enjoy 
no blessing which does not flow from Thee the foun- 
tain of all bliss; our afflictions spring not from the 
dust, but are sent by Thee in mercy; that being 
chastened with sorrow, our hearts may turn to the 
Lord of Hosts. When we look back on the mingled 
events of which our past lives have been made up, we 
discern the hand of Almighty Power, guided by the 
kindness of a tender Parent, ordaining the vicissitudes 
of joy and sorrow, softening our hearts to gratitude by 
the long succession of Thy benefits, and purifying and 
strengthening them by those dispensations, which, for 
the present, seem not to be joyous, but grievous. 

We rejoice, that even in our own experience of 
Thy providential dealings with us, we can discern the 
proofs of Thy mercy and loving-kindness: but we 
would gratefully acknowledge that brighter light, in 
which the gospel of Jesus Christ displays the conduct 
of Thy providence towards the children of men. By 
him, as our Redeemer and our Mediator, we desire at 
all times to approach Thee ; in all our thanksgivings we 

M 



( 122 ) 



would acknowledge the goodness and condescension, 
with which Thou didst send him into the world, to 
bring life and immortality to light ; to seek, and to 
save, those that were lost. We bless Thee that, by 
his mission, that gloom has been dispersed, which 
hung over the realms beyond the grave: that the 
earnest longing of our nature for the renewal of our 
being has been satisfied, and our souls delivered from 
the bondage of the fear of death. O let us not be 
moved away from the hopes of his gospel ; that we 
may have a never-failing refuge in affliction, a victory 
that overcometh the world. Let his word dwell in 
us richly, granting us wisdom and spiritual under- 
standing; let his precepts lead us into every right way, 
and bring every thought into obedience to him. 

O God of all truth, who hast put it into our hearts 
to desire the knowledge of Thee and of divine things, 
let Thy spirit guide, and Thy blessing accompany, 
our earnest endeavours to attain to a clearer compre- 
hension, and a more lively belief, of those truths which 
may so affect our present peace and our final welfare. 
Enlighten and enlarge our minds, we beseech Thee, 
O Father of lights and God of wisdom ! that we may 
lay^side all vain thoughts, all partial and false views 
of Thy nature and government, and learn to trace 
Thy hand, working wisely and graciously in every 
thing that befals us. Thy good providence allots to 
each of us the circumstances and events of life ; Thou 
leadest all Thy children by Thine own path, and in 



( 123 ) 

Thine own good time, to the attainment of their 
truest happiness. Impressed with this conviction, let 
our hearts be fixed, trusting in Thee, and our faith in 
the kindness of Thy dealings with us be unshaken, 
amidst all the varied events of our earthly pilgrimage. 
Dispose and enable us to acknowledge Thy goodness, 
even in taking away from us those things on which our 
affections were most strongly fixed, and in leading us 
through ways that seem rugged to our feet ; that we 
may thereby have our faith exercised, and our patience 
perfected. 

Let Thy gracious protection, which has brought us 
thus far on our journey of life, be still continued to us. 
Be Thou still our sun and our shield ; keep us in Thy 
love and favour, which are better than all earthly 
blessings, and may we at last be found worthy to be 
received to Thyself in glory. We ask all in His 
name, who loved us and gave himself for us, and as- 
cribe unto Thee, through him, glory and honour, sal- 
vation and praise, now and for ever. Amen. 

Lesson. 

O Thou God of the spirits of all men, who hast 
endued Thy rational creatures with those affections 
and dispositions, which lead us to unite ourselves in 
the bonds of friendly communion and domestic love, 
we offer up our thanks to Thee, as the source of the 
pure and exalted pleasures, which flow from the rela- 
tions which we sustain towards each other. From 

M 2 



( 124 ) 



Thee, the universal Parent, the Fountain of all good, 
who alone workest in the hearts of Thy creatures both 
to will and to do, those influences descend, which 
unite the generations of men in the ties of filial and 
parental love. We gratefully own Thy wisdom and 
goodness, in having implanted in the breasts of parents 
that warm and unwearied affection, which makes them 
watch tenderly over the life and health of their chil- 
dren, and anxiously promote their present and ever- 
lasting welfare. We would acknowledge it as one of 
Thy most precious gifts, if any of us, by the care of 
affectionate and virtuous relatives, have been early 
taught to reverence Thee, to seek Thy face in prayer, 
and to keep the way of Thy commandments. While 
we gratefully cherish the memory of those who have 
thus been Thy ministers to us for good, in disposing 
our hearts to piety and virtue, by the influence of af- 
fection, by precept and by example, and while we 
endeavour to reward their labour of love towards us, 
by becoming more and more what they have taught 
us to be, we would raise our thoughts above all the 
transitory relations of earth and time, to Thee, who 
hast given us life and all its blessings, its means of 
improvement, and its hopes of better things to come. 
O God of love and peace, do Thou sanctify and bless 
the connexions of domestic life to those who, by the 
appointment of Thy providence, sustain them towards 
each other. May parents receive from Thee an un- 
derstanding heart, that they may be enabled to train 



( 125 ) 



up their offspring in Thy nurture and admonition; 
may children obey their parents in the Lord, that 
they may obtain the favour of their Father who is in 
heaven, May the members of every household, whom 
Thou hast appointed to be the promoters of each 
other's joy, by bringing them together in the endear- 
ing relations of domestic life, fulfil the purpose for 
which Thou hast joined them to each other; may no 
bitterness of anger, no proud, morose, or selfish dis- 
positions, disturb their harmony and comfort. Liv- 
ing together as children of the same heavenly parent, 
and travellers towards a better country, may they 
strive to aid each other's progress in all that is lovely 
and virtuous; that they may be a mutual blessing, 
while Thou permittest them to pass the time of their 
sojourning together; and may be reunited in a happier 
world, when the days of their pilgrimage are past. 

O Thou God of consolation, we would affectionately 
commend to Thee all those, who are at this time suf- 
fering from the loss of valued relatives and friends, 
snatched from them by death. While they bow in 
unfeigned submission to Thine appointments, do Thou 
heal the anguish of the wounded spirit with the balm 
of heavenly comfort. Enable them by a strong and 
lively fakh, to lay firm hold on those glorious and 
consoling promises, which Thou hast given by Christ 
Jesus, to be the support of those who mourn in Zion. 
May they dry their tears for their present separation 
from those whom they have loved, by the anticipation 

M 3 



( 126 ) 

of that time, when the friends whom death has severed 
from each other, shall renew those sweet intercourses 
in which they have delighted here, and perfect the 
communion of their purified spirits, in Thine ever- 
lasting presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the 
only God, be honour and glory for ever. Amen. 

Rev. 1. Kenrick) M. A. 



( 127 ) 



XX. 

GENERAL PRAYER ON THE DEATH OF 
FRIENDS. 

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH, OF WHOM 
MAY WE SEEK FOR SUCCOUR BUT OF HIM, WHO 
HATH BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT 
BY CHRIST JESUS. 

Almighty God and most merciful Father ! To 
Thee all our hopes and fears, all our desires and 
wants, all our sorrows and joys, are known ere we can 
express them before Thee in prayer. With all hu- 
mility, submission, and confidence, we desire always 
to acknowledge Thy supreme dominion over the crea- 
tures which Thou hast made, Thy wisdom in every 
event which Thou permittest to happen^ thy bound- 
less compassion to human infirmities, and Thy con- 
stant goodness in bestowing upon us so much happi- 
ness at present, and having in store so much for us 
hereafter. In every situation of life we would ear- 
nestly pray, that all our passions and affections, all our 
wishes and desires, may be under the controul of rea- 
son and religion, In every prayer we offer up to Thee, 
we woiud be disposed to pay the utmost deference to 
Thy supreme wisdom, which alone knoweth what is 
best for Thy creatures. We desire to feel a cheerful 



( 128 ) 



submission to the orders of Thy Providence ; a firm 
faith in the promises of our holy religion ; an unshaken 
resolution to bear with fortitude all the evils of life, and 
gratefully to receive and enjoy the blessings of Thy 
indulgent bounty. Thanks to Thy fatherly goodness, 
which, indulgent to our ignorance and infirmity, to the 
strength of our passions, and the weakness of our rea- 
son, permitteth us to unbosom our griefs, to express 
our humble wishes, to make known our numerous 
wants, and to implore Thy divine assistance and sup- 
port, in circumstances where effectual relief and com- 
fort can only be afforded by the hope of Thy favour, and 
the most steadfast faith in Thy wisdom and goodness. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who hath appointed us a High Priest, who 
hath a fellow-feeling for our infirmities ; who having 
himself been once, like ourselves, a man of sorrows 
and acquainted with griefs, was formed to sympathize 
with our sorrows, and to give consolation to the 
broken-hearted ; is disposed to present our supplica- 
tions unto Thee ; and hath encouraged us by his ex- 
ample as well as by his doctrine, not only to love, 
to reverence, and to obey Thee, but freely to offer 
up our prayers and thanksgivings, at the throne of 
Thy grace ! 

May that spirit which animated all his devotions, 
and guided every action of his life, inspire us with the 
same just sentiments and enlarged views, and produce 
in us the same steady confidence in Thine unerring 



( 129 ) 



wisdom, the same humble submission to Thy will, 
the same cheerful hopes in Thy parental kindness, and 
the same grateful sense of Thy unmerited favour. 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 
and the truth is not in us. Lord make us ever sensi- 
ble of our manifold transgressions, of the imperfection 
of our desires, the strength of our passions, and the 
inconstancy and irresolution of our conduct. Dispose 
us faithfully to endeavour to correct whatever has been 
amiss ; and earnestly to implore and seek Thy forgive- 
ness, with the sincerest purposes of amendment. — 
What we know not, do Thou teach us ; what we have 
neglected do Thou enable us to perform ; what is yet 
wanting to our happiness at present, or necessary to 
our receiving still greater happiness hereafter, do Thou 
most graciously bestow. 

Every blessing we have enjoyed in life, we grate- 
fully acknowledge has been derived from Thy bounty. 
What Thou hast graciously given, Thou hast the 
most undoubted right to take away. Our own lives, 
and the lives of those, who are dearest to us, are Thy 
gift, and at Thy disposal. Whatever Thou doest, 
teach us firmly to believe is not only wisest, but kindest 
and best. Ignorant of futurity ourselves, we are in- 
capable of seeing the whole extent of the all-compre- 
hensive rectitude and goodness of Thy proceedings. 
Let our resource and consolation, under the calamities 
of the present life, be, that all shall work together {ox 
good to them that love Thee* 



( 130 ) 



We thank Thee, O God, that, by the gift of Thy 
Son, by the revelation of Thy will which Thou hast 
commissioned him to make, by the discovery of a fu- 
ture state and world, which Thou hast ascertained to 
us by his death and resurrection. Thou hast given 
such proofs of Thy Fatherly goodness, that we ought 
not to entertain a doubt that Thou wilt freely grant to 
Thy creatures whatever they are fit to receive, capable 
of improving, or prepared to enjoy. 

To Thee, therefore, to whom all futurity is open, 
whose power is capable of making Thy creatures happy 
in every stage of their existence, and who art conti- 
nually designing their perfection and happiness, we 
resign ourselves, and those who are dear to us, per- 
suaded that no sincere and faithful disciple of Christ, 
can be unhappy in any part of Thy dominions, pro- 
tected by Thy power, and blessed with Thy presence. 
O dispose us habitually to recollect to whom we owed 
them, and whither they are gone. Let it be the lan- 
guage of our hearts, the Lord hath given, and the 
Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the 
Lord. Make it our chief concern to behave with 
propriety in every circumstance; to discharge the 
duties which Thou hast made incumbent upon us ; to 
place our chief happiness in obedience and submission 
to Thy will, in the firm persuasion of Thy over-ruling 
providence, in the imitation of Jesus Christ our great 
example, and pattern, and in a steadfast faith in the 
promises of the gospel. Preserve us from all super- 



(131 ) 



stitious gloomy fears, and from all enthusiastic foolish 
hopes, from all fruitless ineffectual wishes. The mer- 
cies with which we are still surrounded, are far above 
all praise; and those which Thou hast in store for 
such as, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek 
for glory, honour, and immortality, are far beyond 
our most sanguine hopes, or most enlarged concep- 
tions. Enable us to stretch our views to those glori- 
ous mansions provided for all Thy faithful servants. 
Let us not entertain a doubt of the kind provision, 
which Thou hast made for their everlasting perfection 
and happiness. And let it be our chief concern, not 
where or how we shall live, not in what world Thou 
wilt confer Thy blessings ; but let us consider all 
places as alike to Thee, and capable of producing hap- 
piness, in proportion as Thy creatures are obedient to 
Thy laws, and resigned to Thy direction. 

Through all the future periods of our existence, we 
commend ourselves to Thy protection and blessing. 
Be it Thy care to dispose of us as Thou seest fit : be 
it ours to love, to serve, and to obey Thee, as long as 
we have our being. To Thy service we desire to de- 
vote ourselves : by the rules of the divine religion of 
Jesus Christ, we would wish always to direct our con- 
duct ; and to Thy name we ascribe all glory and praise 
for ever. Amen. 



( 132 ) 



XXI. 

OFFICE FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY. 

REPAIR TO THE HOUSE OF YOUR GOD FROM YEAR TO 
YEAR, AND PAY YOUR VOWS TO HIM WHO LIVETH 
AND REIGNETH ONE GOD FOR EVER AND EVER. 

O Almighty and everlasting God, who of old hast 
laid the foundations of the earth, and from whose 
hands proceeded the heavens, with all their glorious 
hosts ! These shall perish, but Thou shall endure ; 
yea, even they shall change as doth a garment, and 
as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up ; but Thou wilt 
ever be the same, and of Thy years there shall be no 
end. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and 
Thy dominion endureth from generation to generation. 
We pray Thee lead us all to acknowledge Thee as the 
God of our lives and the length of our days ; as our 
Father and our Friend through time and through 
eternity. 

When We look back upon our past lives, we are 
conscious to a variety of mercies, and are constrained 
to confess that, in many things, the lines have fallen 
unto us in pleasant places. O dispose us, gracious 
Father, to acknowledge the mercies of the past year, 
and impress upon our minds this important truth, that 
year after year calleth us to praise Thee for Thy 



( 133 ) 



goodness, and for Thy wonderful works to the chil- 
dren of men. But while we rejoice, and offer Thee 
the thanks which are Thy due, that we are still the mo- 
numents of Thy sparing mercy, O let various events 
of the past year admonish us to rejoice with trembling, 
and to resolve to devote ourselves with greater ear- 
nestness to wisdom, to virtue, and to Thee; before 
w r hose tribunal we know not how soon — but Thou 
knowest — we shall be called to render our account. 
In the mean time persuade us that all things work 
together for good to those who love Thee ; to those 
who shew their love by keeping Thy commandments. 
Dispose us at all times gratefully to reflect upon the mul- 
titude of Thy mercies ; to meditate with gratitude on 
our continual preservation ; to dwell with thankfulness 
on the blessings we have received ; and to rejoice in the 
opportunities of improvement and usefulness, and the 
consequent sources of enjoyment and happiness, with 
which we have severally been favoured. Make us 
ever duly sensible of the importance of religious in- 
struction, and of the advantage of religious exercises ; 
and never suffer us to be unmindful of the benefits 
which we have derived from the instructions, example, 
death, and resurrection, of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Dispose us ever to rejoice that, in the fulness of time, 
Thou didst send him into the world to make known 
Thy blessed will, to go about doing good, and to 
bring life and immortality to clear and certain light 
Make us particularly thankful that he came to bless 

N 



( 134 ) 



mankind by turning them from their iniquities, by 
preaching the gospel of remission of their sins upon 
repentance, and thus providing for the reconciliation 
of sinful men to their kind and merciful Father, to 
whom they had become enemies by wicked works ; 
but who only waited to be gracious, and was ready to 
dispense His pardoning mercies to his erring, guilty 
creatures, on their first return to duty and obedience. 

O lead us, gracious God, to reflect with becoming 
gratitude how well his gracious dispensation is suited 
to our particular case. When we reflect upon our 
past lives, and particularly upon the year that is past, 
we are conscious that we have done many things which 
we ought not to have done, and have left undone 
many things which we ought to have done. All our 
offences are known to Thee, with all their circum- 
stances and aggravations. But how cheering is the 
light which the gospel throws upon Thy character, as 
not only offering mercy to pardon, but also grace to 
help in every time of need ; the grace of admonition, 
caution, and encouragement, which every page of it 
contains; and especially the animating motive by 
which it connects the present with the future world, 
and gives to a sincere though imperfect obedience the 
promise, not only of the life that now is, but also of 
that which is to come. O let it be the object of our 
diligence to make this due application of the gospel of 
Thy grace ; that by bringing forth the fruits of genu- 
ine repentance, by ceasing to do evil and learning to 



( 135 ) 



do well, by changing from day to day and from year 
to year our minds and characters for the better, we 
may become meet objects of Thy forgiveness, appro- 
bation, and final favour and acceptance, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord, 

And now we beseech Thee to bless, to our spiritual 
advantage and benefit, the services in which we are 
now engaged. Dispose us to observe times and sea- 
sons, not as a matter of custom, or through vain curi- 
osity; but to have our minds impressed with a full 
persuasion, that all events are regulated by the will of 
Thee, the greatest, the wisest, and the best of Beings. 
Though we know not the times and the seasons, which 
Thou hast reserved in Thine own power, yet we 
know that it is our duty to become thoroughly ac- 
quainted with our whole duty, and to cultivate a pre- 
vailing disposition habitually to practise it. Dispose 
us to observe the progress and lapse of time, for the 
sake of making the best use and improvement of what 
Thou mayest be pleased, in Thy great goodness, to 
allot to each of us in the present life. Being consci- 
ous that the time which is past can never return, and 
awfully reminded by the events of the past year, that 
human life is to us uncertain, and only granted to 
reasonable creatures on the condition that they spend 
it in the ways of wisdom, virtue, and religion, O let 
us never forget to use it as our most precious treasure, 
to secure whatever may be granted to each of us for 
the best and noblest purposes, and be careful to 

n 2 



( 136 ) 



redeem it as much as possible from folly and from 
sin. By the exercise of all kind affections, by the 
performance of all good actions, by the service of 
Thee and of our generation according to Thy will, 
let it be our happiness to answer the ends of our being 
in this present world, and finally to be received with 
the welcome of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our 
Judge, and have our place assigned us in those blessed 
mansions which He is gone before us to prepare for 
all his faithful followers. Him, though we have not 
seen Him, we desire to love ; in Him, though now we 
see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy un- 
speakable ; and in his comprehensive form of words 
we sum up our imperfect requests, saying, as he 
taught his disciples, 
Our Father, fyc. 



{ 137 ) 



XXIL 

OFFICE FOR A COMMUNION-DAY. 

HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE 
IS, AND THAT HE IS THE REWARDER OF THEM 
THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. 

O Almighty and most merciful Father, dispose 
us, we beseech Thee, to engage at all times in the 
public services of Thy house with enlarged sentiments 
of Thy perfections, and with hearts full of devotion to 
adore Thee, the greatest and the best of all Beings. 
While we rejoice in all the testimonies which Thou 
givest unto Thyself by the things which Thou hast 
made, and by the acts of Thy providence and govern- 
ment, we desire particularly to acknowledge Thy 
great goodness to the children of men in the aids 
which Thou hast afforded them for their instruction 
in wisdom and virtue, in order to their attainment of 
their highest happiness. All Thy works and ways 
proclaim Thee to be the righteous and gracious Go- 
vernor of Thy whole creation ; but Thou hast in a 
peculiar manner shewn Thyself the Father of man- 
kind, by the merciful purposes which Thou hast ex- 
pressed towards them by Thy Son Jesus Christ. We 
desire to magnify that great goodness which sent Thy 
well-beloved Son into the world, not to condemn the 

n 3 



( 138 ) 



world, but that the world through him might be 
saved, and which hath made such gracious provision 
by him for the everlasting salvation of all such as re- 
pent of their sins and forsake them. We gratefully 
acknowledge Thy overruling hand in the first intro- 
duction of the gospel into the world; in the wide 
spread which it has taken; and in its continuance 
through all succeeding ages. We thank Thee that 
the corruptions which entered into the church of 
Christ have received so timely a check; and that 
Thou hast, from time to time, raised up wise and good 
men to bear their faithful testimony to the truth, and 
to assist Thy servants in the way to everlasting salva- 
tion. Great and marvellous are Thy mercies^ O Lord 
God Almighty ! Just and true are all Thy ways, O 
Thou King of Saints ! 

O God, who hast thus conferred such important 
blessings on mankind, accept our thanks in a particu- 
lar manner that Thou hast caused us to partake of 
them. Accept our thanks for all the advantages which 
we have enjoyed for our improvement in what is ex- 
cellent and praiseworthy; that our lot is cast in an 
age and country in which the truths of the gospel are 
proposed to our free examination, and so many helps 
have been afforded us for a just acquaintance with 
them, and a proper improvement of them : — that we are 
also permitted to associate for religious purposes, and 
can take such methods as are most agreeable to our se- 
veral views, for the regular and acceptable performance 



( 139 ) 



of the offices of Christian worship; can hold free 
communion with each other in sacred things, and reap 
the practical benefits proposed from the preaching of 
the word, and the celebration of the ordinances of the 
gospel : — that we are exempted from the rage of per- 
secution to which our forefathers were exposed, and 
are members of religious societies in which we may 
present ourselves before Thee, our Father, according 
to the dictates of our consciences, free from the fear 
of what men can do unto us. O let a sense of Thy 
mercies ever attend us ; and by a diligent improve- 
ment of them may we every day grow more and more 
prepared for a higher state of being ! We would call 
upon our souls and all that is within us to bless and 
praise Thy holy name : and we desire, by these ex- 
pressions of our gratitude, to strengthen our virtuous 
purposes, and to confirm those habits which Thou 
wilt graciously accept, and reward with eternal sal- 
vation. 

We lament that with so many advantages for the 
knowledge and practice of our duty, we have made no 
greater improvement. W e lament our inattention to 
the truths of the gospel, and the little concern we have 
shewn to practise the duties which it prescribes, and 
to adorn it by our temper and character. We would 
be sincerely concerned for every thing which we have 
done amiss, particularly for every thing inconsistent 
with the relation we bear to Thee as disciples of Jesus 
Christ ; and we trust that we entertain sincere pur- 



( 140 ) 



poses of repentance and amendment. We rejoice 
that by Jesus Christ we have received encouragement 
to confess our sins, under a full persuasion of Thy 
mercy to all those who repent of their sins and for- 
sake them. On these terms, O God of mercy, would 
we seek the forgiveness of them ; and we humbly pray 
that, by Thy grace and the teachings of Thy word, 
Thou wilt make us superior to all future temptations, 
and conduct us in the ways of holy obedience to Thy 
heavenly kingdom. 

Make us sensible of the need we have of Thee in 
all things, and of the particular need we have of Thee 
in the practice of the duties to which Thou callest us. 
Let it be our fixed purpose to keep all Thy command- 
ments, which we acknowledge to be wise and just and 
good ; and let it ever be with sincere hearts that we 
express before Thee our earnest resolution to abstain 
from every thing which Thou hast forbidden, and to 
approve our fidelity and diligence in Thy service. — 
Teach us always to look up unto Thee, the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, beseeching Thee, that, agree- 
ably to the love which Thou hast shewn unto us 
through him, Thou wilt teach us to observe the precepts 
which Thou hast given us by him, and to cultivate 
the virtues of which he left us an example ; that so 
we may adorn our religion while we live, and finally 
share the blessings which it provides for those who are 
faithful unto death. 

We desire to pray that Thou wilt vouchsafe Thy 



( 141 ) 



favour to all those who are united to each other by 
the knowledge and profession of the gospel. Be gra- 
cious to Thy servants who statedly assemble in this 
place for the purposes of religious worship. En- 
lighten their minds with the knowledge of Thy truth, 
and direct their willing feet into the way of Thy 
commandments. Dispose them, in their several sta- 
tions, to such a conduct, as may be consistent with 
their christian profession, and an ornament to it ; 
and to this end dispose them to a diligent attendance on 
the services which are here presented before Thee. 
May they unite their praises, thanksgivings, and pe- 
titions, with a spirit of true devotion, and receive the 
instructions which shall be given from Thy word with 
becoming attention and regard. 

Assist Christian Ministers in the duties of their 
office : possess their minds with a sincere love of 
the truth, and with a constant concern to approve 
their fidelity and diligence in Thy service ; and may 
their faithful labours be attended with abundant suc- 
cess. And by Thy blessing on their doctrine and ex- 
ample, and on the willing disposition of Thy people 
to hear the word of instruction, may the churches of 
Christ, which are already planted, approve themselves 
in the sight of all mankind; to the everlasting joy 
of all those to whom it may be proposed, and by whom 
it may be professed ; and to Thy glory, which is best 
manifested in the happiness of Thy creatures. 

We ask all as the disciples of Jesus Christ, who 



( 1*2 ) 

came thus to manifest Thy glory to mankind : and in 
whose comprehensive form of words we would sum up 
our imperfect requests, saying, as he taught his dis- 
ciples, 

Our Father y %c. 



( 1^3 ) 



XXIII. 

OFFICE ON THE MEETING OF AN UNI- 
TARIAN FUND OR TRACT-SOCIETY. 

THE HOUR COMETH, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE TRUE 
WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN 
SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH; FOR THE FATHER SEEK- 
ETH SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM. GOD IS A SPIRIT, 
AND THEY, WHO WORSHIP HIM ACCEPTABLY, MUST 
WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. 

Almighty God, the giver of all good, the father 
of lights, and the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, 
we thank Thee that, being formed after Thine own 
image, and endowed with understanding and reason, 
we are capable of inquiring after important truth, and 
of directing our conduct in the pursuit of happiness 
by the rules of virtue and religion, and according to 
the dictates of conscience. 

We thank Thee that, in aid of this natural light, 
Thou hast added the gift of revelation, by which Thou 
hast communicated the most valuable information 
concerning Thine own nature, perfections, and go- 
vernment; concerning our duty here, and our expec- 
tations hereafter. We rejoice that, on every occasion 
of Thy gracious intercourse with mankind, Thou hast 
represented Thyself unto them as the proper object of 



( 144 ) 



their reverence, love, and joyful confidence; as a 
Being of infinite wisdom and goodness, of boundless 
compassion to human infirmities ; and ever ready, on 
their sincere return to duty, to extend Thy free mercy 
and forgiveness towards them. 

We thank Thee more especially for the gospel of 
Jesus Christ ; by whom it hath pleased Thee to esta- 
blish the unity and mercifulness of Thy nature, and 
Thy unrivalled supremacy with regard to himself as 
well as to every other being ; and who has likewise 
given us, in his own death and resurrection, the most 
satisfying assurance of an universal resurrection. 

We deeply lament the departure of the Christian 
world from this pure faith of the gospel, in exalting 
him, whom we desire to honour with all due reverence 
as Thy well-beloved Son and servant, even the meek 
and humble Jesus, to an equality with Thyself the 
Father Almighty, and ascribing to him that supreme 
worship, which he expressly disclaimed ; in stripping 
Thee of the most amiable of Thy attributes, Thy own 
essential goodness, and representing Thy free mercy 
to penitent sinners as not to be obtained without a full 
and ample satisfaction; and in limiting that mercy, 
even when so obtained, to a part only of the children 
of Thee, the common Father of all. 

But we thank Thee, who, we doubt not, wilt, in 
Thine own due time, bring light out of darkness, 
order out of confusion, and good out of apparent evil, 
that, in several countries, many of these corruptions 



( 145 ) 

have already been reformed, and that unrighteous do- 
minion over conscience is every where giving way to 
the power of truth, and the just liberties of mankmd. 

We thank Thee for the strenuous labours of many 
faithful servants, who, with various degrees of light, 
according as Thou hast been pleased to bless their 
sincere inquiries after truth, have exerted themselves 
to spread it among their fellow-men ; and, renouncing 
all worldly advantages, not accounting even their 
lives dear unto them, have boldly asserted their Chris- 
tian liberty, and held themselves bound to none 
but Thee, the Only True God, the sole immediate 
Lord over conscience; and to him whom Thou 
hast appointed to act by commission from Thee, as 
the Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, the Man Christ 
Jesus. 

We adore the wisdom of Thy providence in mak- 
ing the restoration of learning instrumental to the 
reformation of religion, by its impartial application to 
discover the real sense of the Scriptures of Truth. — 
We thank Thee that so much has been already ac- 
complished ; and we pray that, by a continued and 
diligent study of Thy word, we may, in due time, be 
led to the full discovery of every remaining error, and 
be brought to receive the whole truth in the love of it. 

Hasten, we entreat Thee, the approach of that 
glorious time, when the gospel shall recover its pri- 
mitive purity and efficacy; when Thou alone, the 
Only true God— of perfect rectitude — of spotless 

o 



( 146 ) 

purity — of essential goodness and mercy — shalt be 
the object of Thy creatures' worship ; when they shall 
have recourse to no means of rendering themselves 
acceptable to Thee, but those which the gospel pre- 
scribes, sincere repentance and amendment, in humble 
dependence on Thy free mercy in Christ Jesus ; and 
when no apprehension of arbitrary decrees shall alarm 
their fears or encourage their presumption. 

Inspire all the disciples of Him, who came to bear 
witness to the truth, with a just zeal for the propaga- 
tion of what shall appear to them to be the truth, ac- 
cording to their several ability and opportunity. May 
neither the love of popular applause, of filthy lucre, 
or of any other worldly advantage \ may neither the 
fear of man's reproach, of poverty, or of death, be a 
snare to them in their labour of love ; but may they 
daily rejoice in the testimony of their conscience, that 
in simplicity and godly sincerity they have their con- 
versation in the world ! 

We thank Thee for the favourable circumstances 
in which we can now appear before Thee ; that we 
now can worship Thee alone, according to the dic- 
tates of our consciences, free from any fear of what 
man can do unto us : and we pray Thee to hasten the 
happy time, when all the powers of this world, 
whether national or individual, temporal or spiri- 
tual, supreme or subordinate, who may have usurped 
any authority over the consciences of men 5 may 
be led to see the propriety of relinquishing their 



( 147 ) 



unjust claims. Do Thou, O Lord God Almighty, 
take unto Thyself Thy great power, and reign ; and 
may the gospel of Jesus Christ, in all its primitive 
purity, go forth conquering and to conquer : may it 
be preached in Thine own due time, to all that dwell 
upon the earth; to every nation and kindred and 
tongue and people ! By this brightness of our Lord's 
appearance may the Man of Sin be utterly consumed ; 
that all the kingdoms of the earth may become the 
kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. 

In the mean time we pray, that we, and all the 
professors of Christian truth, may be careful to re- 
commend the truth which we profess, by a suitable 
life and conversation^ May we distinguish ourselves 
by having the same mind which was also m Christ 
Jesus; by genuine humility, meekness, forbearance, 
and brotherly love ; by sobriety, purity, and tempe- 
rance; by all the habits of a heavenly mind ; and by 
rational and cheerful devotion : that when our Lord 
shall come, according to Thine appointment, to take 
an account of his servants, and to be glorified in those 
who have obeyed him, we may be found of him in 
peace, without spot, and blameless, and not be asham- 
ed before him at his coming. 

Now unto Thee, who alone art eternal, immortal, 
and invisible, the only wise, living, and true God, be 
glory through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen. 



( 148 ) 



XXIV. 

GENERAL INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. 

O COME LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN BEFORE 
THE LORD OUR MAKER. 

Almighty God, who though unseen art every 
where present, and though exalted above all blessing 
and praise art ever ready to hear and answer the sup- 
plications of Thy servants ! We, Thy creatures, 
dependents, and subjects, desire at this time, with 
deep humility and godly fear, to offer our devotions 
unto Thee, the only proper object of religious wor- 
ship, gratitude, and veneration. Thou, O Lord ? art 
very great, and there is none that is like unto Thee. 
Thou, O Lord, art very good, and there is none 
that can be compared unto Thee. None can be per- 
fect as thou art perfect, in wisdom, power, and great- 
ness ; in holiness, rectitude, and purity ; in unbounded 
love, and unconfined benevolence. Thou art good 
unto all Thy works, but unto us more especially, 
Thy rational offspring. It becometh us, therefore, 
as the objects of Thy peculiar bounty, to give thanks 
unto Thee at all times, and to rejoice continually un- 
der a sense of our dependence upon Thee. 

This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will 
rejoice and be glad in it. We desire to embrace 



( 149 ) 

the opportunity, which it affords, of offering praise 
and pure worship. Purify Thou our hearts within 
us, and enable us to present ourselves before Thee 
in a manner becoming the disciples of Jesus Christ, 
and the children of Thee our common Father, Di- 
rect and bless our services at this time : prepare us 
to read Thy holy word with devout attention and re- 
verence, to lay up in our hearts the sacred precepts 
which it contains, and to make them the rules of our 
future conduct. Dispose us in our further prayers 
to ask those things only, which are worthy of Thee 
to bestow, and fit for us to receive ; to confess our 
sins with unfeigned sorrow, and with steadfast pur- 
poses of amendment ; and to ascribe unto Thee the 
glory and the praise that, on these terms only, Thou 
hast declared by Jesus Christ Thy gracious purpose 
of forgiveness and final acceptance. Bless the word 
of instruction which shall now be delivered, so far as 
it shall be agreeable to truth, and to the dictates of 
Thy holy word and will, and grant that it may have 
a happy influence on our future temper and conduct. 
And thus let all our religious services contribute to 
establish and confirm our minds in the knowledge, 
love, and practice of every thing that is excellent 
and praiseworthy, and prepare us for the services and 
enjoyments of that future happy state, in which we 
hope to know Thee better, to love Thee more, and to 
serve Thee in greater perfection. 

o 3 



( iso ) 



All we beg as the disciples of Jesus Christ, for 
whom we would now and at all times praise Thee, and 
as he has taught us, ascribe unto Thee our Father 
in heaven, the kingdom, the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen. 



( 151 ) 



XXV. 

GENERAL CONCLUDING PRAYER. 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this 
time with one accord to make our common suppli- 
cations unto Thee, and to meditate on the truths 
contained in Thy holy word ; and has graciously en- 
couraged us by the promise of Thy well-beloved Son, 
to hope that wherever two or three shall gather them- 
selves together in his name, Thou wilt grant their 
requests, as if he were himself present in the midst of 
of them ; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and peti- 
tions of Thy servants, as shall be most expedient for 
us; granting us in this world the knowledge of Thy 
truth, and the grace to observe and practise it, and in 
the world to come life everlasting, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of 
men for to dwell on all the faces of the earth, hear we 
beseech Thee our united intercessions, with which we 
desire [for the present] to conclude our imperfect ser- 
vices before Thee, on the behalf of all our brethren of 
mankind. Let the gospel of Thy Son prevail univer- 
sally, and produce every where the happiest effects; 
let it dispel the shades of ignorance and error, of 
superstition and false religion ; let a spirit of love and 
peace universally prevail ; and do Thou, the God of 



( 152 ) 



love and peace, be with us and with all men. We 
beseech Thee to bless this united kingdom ; bless all 
who are placed in authority over us, and particularly 
Thy servant our Sovereign King George ; and enable 
them to consult, in all their measures, the general 
peace, tranquillity, and happiness. [Bless the high 
court of Parliament, now assembled, and over- 
rule all their debates and proceedings for the public 
good.] Bless the Judges of the land, and all inferior 
magistrates, [accompany the Judges on their present 
circuit] and enable them to dispense justice with 
judgment and equity. Hear our prayer for the sick 
and afflicted [especially for Thy servants who desire 
an interest in them] ; comfort those that mourn; fit 
for death those who are shortly to depart this life; 
prepare us for our great change by death, and for a 
happy eternity. [Accept the thanks of those whom 
thou hast favoured with recovering mercies ; let re- 
stored health be devoted to Thy service, in a faithful 
discharge of the duties of this life, and a diligent pre- 
paration for a better.] [Accept the thanks of Thy 
servant, for whom Thou hast appeared in an hour of 
danger and difficulty, [and made the living mother of 
a living child], and brought again into this house of 
prayer, to make her thankful acknowledgment of Thy 
protecting mercy.] [Let every addition to the fami- 
lies of Thy servants be an additional comfort and 
blessing, and a fresh inducement to walk before their 
house with a perfect heart, and to train up their 



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